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Lerato Mbhiza
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the ongoing final year matric exams have so far proceeded smoothly as more than 700,000 matric candidates sat for their exams this year in more than 8,000 exam centres across South Africa.
Motshekga was addressing the media on Sunday where she cautioned the Class of 20233 to desist from participating in parties to make the end of exams.
This sentiment has been reiterated by various other stakeholders, including political parties.
The Gauteng Education Department has also urged matriculants to stay focused and refrain from taking part in these parties.
The department has also appealed to owners of liquor stores and taverns not to sell alcohol to learners.
The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal called on education MEC, Mbali Frazer to ban ‘pens down parties’.
IFP member of parliament Thembeni Madlopha said such parties have led to many unfortunate incidents.
In June 2022, 21 people died while attending a ‘pens down’ party at Enyobeni Tavern in East London.
Motshekga also touched on the issue of safety, urging communities to keep a close watch on schools over the December and January holidays.
“As a sector, we become very anxious when schools close for a long period. Schools get vandalised, and there are a lot of difficulties that we normally have. So, we want to again appeal to communities to take care of their schools.”
INSIDE EDUCATION