Matric shock for 200 pupils

2008-01-02 11:44

Nelspruit - Grade 12 pupils from at least four schools in the Bushbuckridge area in Mpumalanga are caught up in confusion as to whether or not they have passed their matric exams, the Sowetan reported on Wednesday.

Instead of joining the throng of thousands of pupils who passed last on Friday, Thokozani Hlatshwayo and several of his classmates at Mafemani Nxumalo High School in Thulamahashe were left "confused and traumatised", the Sowetan said.

"According to results published in all the major newspapers, Hlatshwayo passed with an exemption," the newspaper said.

The newspapers and the internet showed that he obtained an A in Xitsonga and maths, English D, biology E, home economics and Afrikaans an F.

"But when he went to his school to confirm this, he got the shock of his life," the report said.

"I was so shocked when I got my statement of results from the school. It said I missed the Xitsonga exam while I actually sat for the whole examination. The statement said I failed matric and I can tell you now I have never failed any grade in my life," he told the Sowetan.

Hlatshwayo said his dream of becoming a pilot was shattered by whoever was responsible for the contradictory results.

His father, Shikobela Hlatshwayo wanted to know where the newspapers and the internet got the pass results if the education department did not supply them.

"I really fail to understand what is happening. The last time I checked my son was a genius and not the failing type," he told the newspaper.

Frustrated pupils

The provincial education department has acknowledged the problem and investigations were ongoing.

"What normally happens is that some results are withheld if markers have a reason to suspect that there was foul play, or if school principals have taken (a lengthy period) to submit annual marks," Mpumalanga education spokesperson Hlahla Ngwenya told the newspaper.

Apart from Mafemani Nxumalo High School in Thulamahashe, pupils at Mahuvo in Allandale, Ben W Mashego in Casteel and Babina-Tau under the Cottondale Circuit are said to have all failed according to results supplied by the Education Department.

The Sowetan said 230 pupils from Mafemane Nxumalo High School had failed, according to the department.

Frustrated pupils from the school told the newspaper that their future was hanging in the balance.

"We can't negotiate with tertiary institutions because of this situation."

- SAPA