Class of 2020 urged to buckle down for the final stretch
19 August 2020
Grade 12 learners have been assured of the Western Cape Education Department’s full support as they prepare for their final exams. The exams are scheduled to start on 05 November until 15 December 2020.
“We know that this is a stressful time and we will do everything in our power to ensure that you get the support required in this final stretch to the examinations,” said Brian Schreuder, Head of Education in a letter addressed to Matriculants.
One thing is for sure, there is no shortage of resources available for our Grade 12 learners!
Grade 12 learners are encouraged to use the resources on the WCED’s ePortal (https://wcedeportal.co.za) which include previous examination papers, “Tips for Success” booklets with study and examination tips, subject revision booklets, “Mind the Gap” textbooks (also available on the DBE’s website), and telematic lessons.
The WCED’s ePortal hosts over 4 000 resources targeted specifically at Grade 12s, a learner dashboard where you can register, upload your NSC subjects and have quality content to suit your subject needs, as well as a list of free resources from various curriculum suppliers.
The WCED website (https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/matric-support) has a special page dedicated to matric support. This includes advice on preparing Grade 12 learners for the examinations, how to plan your study time and what to cover in each subject, revision videos on YouTube covering certain subjects and topics, and a list of textbooks and prescribed literature.
The WCED has a telematics programme that is broadcast to specific schools throughout the year. A variety of these broadcasts have been uploaded onto the WCED’s website and ePortal for viewing. It covers 11 subjects and specific content and concepts. It also includes English and Afrikaans Home Language literature and workbooks in various other subjects.
Lessons are rebroadcast to provide learners with more opportunities to watch these sessions. First, second and third term revision materials are being recorded and broadcast in 14 subjects. Each of these subjects will have at least six hours of revision broadcasts. Please visit https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/edumedia/revision-dvds-telematics.
The WCED has asked schools to ensure that Grade 12 learners are attending school every school day and to accommodate the other grades around their timetable.
“They are our priority right now and we will work together to ensure that they are given the best opportunity to write these examinations. We know they can do it and their teachers are ready to help them by going the extra mile,” Schreuder said.
All Grade 12 learners are encouraged to do the following:
- Your teachers are there for you – so attend school every day.
- The WCED is behind you – use the resources on the WCED’s ePortal (https://wcedeportal.co.za) which include previous examination papers, “Tips for Success” booklets with study and examination tips, subject revision booklets, “Mind the Gap” textbooks (also available on the DBE’s website), and telematic lessons.
- Access past matric papers and exemplars, and watch videos on the different themes and topics.
- Find out about radio and television support programmes and integrate these into your studies.
- Revise the work covered during the first and second term.
- Work through the tests/assignments completed during the first and second term with special focus on areas of weakness and the feedback from the teacher.
- Read through your textbooks, read the prescribed literature and read for leisure!
- Prepare for what lies ahead – use the “Tips for Success” booklets or curriculum guidelines (both available on the WCED’s website) to start reading about the topics and concepts that will be introduced before you write your examinations. Use multiple sources and share good material with your classmates. Research is an important part of learning. Self-research, the analysis of research material and summarisation are all key skills.
- Discuss topics that you find problematic with your teachers and classmates.
- Find a place at home or somewhere else where you can work undisturbed.
- Do school work every day.
- Live healthily, get enough sleep and stay dedicated to work optimally when awake.