Public sector strike should not affect Western Cape matric exams

Statement by Minister David Maynier, Minister of Education Western Cape

We can assure parents that we have taken every precaution to ensure that the matric exams will not be affected by the planned public sector union protest action on Thursday 10 November 2022 in the Western Cape.

The Western Cape Education Department’s Head of Department, Brent Walters, met with our teachers’ unions and a public sector union recently. The teachers’ unions assured us that they will not be participating in the strike, so our exam administration in schools should not be affected.

We have contingency measures in place in the event that any public sector staff members choose to participate in the strike.

This comes after Public Servants Association spokesperson, Reuben Maleka, stated earlier this week that:

“There is an understanding that all other services, including the possibility of disruption of some of the education sector, which is unfortunate. Teachers are also members.”

We again appeal to everyone, including members of the public sector unions, to put the best interests of our matrics first. We must treat our matrics as VIPs for the remaining few weeks of the exams.

The Class of 2022 has already had to overcome two years of disrupted schooling during their Grade 10 and 11 years. And they are now dealing with the challenge of load shedding, which makes an already stressful time even more stressful.

The fact is that our matrics already have enough on their plate without having to worry about strike action.

So far, matric exams have proceeded without major incident.

Let’s keep it that way!

Media Enquiries:
Kerry Mauchline
Spokesperson to Minister David Maynier
Western Cape Ministry of Education
Kerry.Mauchline@westerncape.gov.za