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The Grade 12 matric examinations for 2023 kicked off on Monday 30 October, with learners writing their first language paper. The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, also issued a stern warning to matriculants ahead of the exams against cheating.
According to news reports, the department has put security measures in place to deal with potential paper leaks.
With this in mind TygerBurger approached an education expert in a Q&A to find out just how learners, teachers and parents can best prepare themselves for this stressful period. Prof Rouaan Maarman is the deputy dean for research at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Q: With the matric examinations on hand, what can parents and learners do to best prepare them for the exams, and what can they do to help them cope with the exam pressures?
A: I believe that is a household affair to start with. All members of the household should understand that it is a high stakes examination, and we all have a role to play to support the matriculant in various ways. If there can be some discussion around this, it might help. In some households it might be the first child to write matric examinations, so we do not want to make big mistakes and conversation always helps. There are obviously different roles for different family members. To continuously have check-ins with each other will also help throughout the duration of the examination period.
Planning the duration of the examination is important as nowadays the examination stretches over several weeks, sometimes four to five weeks. It is thus important not to become distracted during that period and to stick to the planning done. Teachers can help with this planning of study blocks and study sessions per day. Matriculants must ensure that they work in focussed study sessions, as well as enough revision sessions per examination paper.
It is also important to have enough breaks to freshen up throughout the duration of the exams and not become fatigued early in the examination period.
Family members can also help with different kinds of revision sessions, so that the matriculant can have some interaction as they usually just stay home and study on their own.
Hosting group revision sessions at different homes (with adult supervision I hasten to add) can also break the mould of sitting alone for all those hours.
Q: What should they avoid, and what should they rather focus on?
A: Parents should rather ask questions to understand how their children are treading, instead of instructing the children all the time (unless it becomes necessary). Asking questions is less stressful on children than giving instructions. A relaxed and trusting atmosphere is ideal when people are under pressure.
Adding outside activities are important. There is research that shows that just going outside your house drops your blood pressure and stress levels, so do participate in fresh-air activities regularly (maybe every day).
Positive reinforcement from parents is important to create trust with learners and for learners to feel they are supported and not alone in this journey.
Adults should be the calm influence rather than the stressors.
Q: Social media can be a huge distraction, Facebook, and Instagram more particularly?
A: Yes, I totally agree with this one. A structured conversation between parents and children should frame what is going to be the arrangement about social media time. It can be difficult as learners use devices to study, however, parents do not have a choice in this case. Most teenagers are “semi-addicted” to devices and social media, and it can interfere with studies and how learners focus.
On the flip side it can be used to relax learners as well, that is why the conversation to set up some sort of arrangement for the examination period is important.
Q: Let us focus on outside aid, for those children who cannot cope emotionally. What should their parents, guardians and teachers do to help them deal with the stresses?
A: Here the schools should be the go-to place to support learners. Almost all schools do have support services for learners. Contact details should be provided to the parents and the children. The fact that they write matric does not mean that they are not learners of their schools anymore.
In conclusion, Maarman said learners should also be taken care of, after the examination period.
“Regular check-in conversation before the results are announced is important as there will be some form of anxiety from learners. Keeping them safe and connected with family members is very important before and after the release of results. If results are not good there are many options parents and learners can undertake to attend to improving it in 2024 to secure access to higher education institutions if they can,” said Maarman.
