The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has launched a campaign to motivate Grade 12 learners to complete their 2020 matric year despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
#CommitToFinish is focused on an older version of the matriculant, thanking the younger version for making the right choice to finish their matric year. Interested pupils are encouraged to pledge their commitment by visiting, www.CommitToFinish.co.za.The campaign was launched on various social media platforms, in communities on billboards, and directly to candidates via SMS and emails to schools.
Those who have taken the pledge, will receive a notification of their commitment and are also encouraged to get their fellow pupils to do the same. “This choice will change their life and the life of those around them. Hence the campaign line – You will thank yourself later!” said Education MEC Debbie Schäfer.
Pupils who have pledged also receive an examination support booklet which would encourage them to #CommitToFinish. The booklet provides advice on the examination, bursary options, and support networks, as well as old exam papers for eight high-enrollment subjects (English home language, Afrikaans first additional language, accounting, business studies, geography, history, life sciences, mathematics, mathematical literacy, and physical sciences).
While matric attendance at schools was at 90 per cent, the department did not want to see pupils dropping out or self-doubt creeping in. These pupils had worked so hard for the past 12 years to reach this point and the department wanted to support them in finishing their matric year.
“This year has certainly been a tumultuous year for our Grade 12 learners and their teachers. Despite the disruptive school year, they have shown true grit and determination. They have shown how resilient they are and I am extremely proud of them,” said education MEC Debbie Schäfer
She said there had been spectacular stories of continuous learning, even during Covid-19 level 5 restrictions. Teachers, pupils, and subject advisors communicated via various social media platforms, pupils took initiative and began self-learning at home, and the use of alternative resources for learning and revision, through the WCED e-portal and website, increased significantly, explained Schäfer.
“Past experience has shown that some learners become despondent at the end of the year, following their ‘Trial Exams’, and may make the decision to drop out. Their future self is telling them to make the right choice – to finish their matric year. I know I certainly have ‘thanked myself for it’ years later. Let us all continue to support, encourage, and motivate the Class of 2020,” Schäfer said.
