Madam Speaker, it has been a long slog for the Grade 12 learners who were sitting for an examination that also put paid to the old curriculum. Notwithstanding what we said in the early days of the examination, a fair share of hiccups reared its head as a very small number of cases occurred - or rather, a number of wrong papers were opened - for which wrongdoers have been taken to the cleaners already.
A plus in this case is that backup papers are always at hand so that when the need arises there is no crisis. This may cause some discomfort, as has been the case with learners in the Western Cape who feel hard done by because of having to finish their examination tomorrow, 23 November 2007.
The UCDP calls on teachers to teach and take pride in what they do to avoid encouraging young people to indulge in acts of dishonesty by allowing them to copy from textbooks and notes during examinations. Such a practice destroys the future of the children as more often they will strive to obtain whatever they have to by such underhand methods. We also commend the authorities for acting promptly by bringing in prefabricated structures to assist after school roofs were blown off by heavy storms.
A big test awaits the Department of Education, however, as Grade 12 learners, who do not make the grade, will not be allowed to repeat because of curriculum changes. It remains to be seen what will happen to these unfortunate learners. Will they be allowed to swell the numbers of the partly schooled and unemployed people roaming the streets? Let us hope the department props them up. I thank you.