Load shedding has presented a troubling hurdle for matric pupils since the start of the final National Senior Certificate exams two weeks ago. But now, public strike fears have been added to the mix – risking further disruptions for the exams.
During a media briefing on Sunday (6 November), The Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed that 53 matrics were prevented from writing their exams due to public service protests over deadlocked wage negotiations with the government.
“We [the DBE] are very concerned about the imminent public service strike because this includes our teachers, and it has the potential to disrupt final matric exams even further,” said DBE director-general Mathanzima Mweli.
Mweli singled out the South African National Civic Organization (Sanco) and…