Umalusi misleading - Cope

INLSA

Students who did not pass their matric have until Jan 21 to register for a re-marking or re-checking. File photo: Chris Collingridge

Johannesburg -

The announcement by Umalusi that Limpopo and the Eastern Cape provinces were ready to conduct matric exams was misleading, the Congress of the People said on Tuesday.

“Umalusi's argument that Grade 12 pupils were not affected by the education crisis in both provinces was mischievous and undermined the Constitutional right to basic education,” said Cope spokesman Willie Madisha.

Monitoring body Umalusi said on Tuesday the Limpopo education department was ready to conduct its matric exams.

Limpopo education has been marred by non-delivery of textbooks to schools.

The saga continued in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday. The court was set to hear arguments as to whether the basic education department complied with a court order compelling it to provide books to Limpopo schools.

Umalusi chief executive Mafu Rakometsi said though his organisation was satisfied with exam preparation in the country overall, the department should conduct an “intensive monitoring” of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

Cope discouraged the culture of allowing pupils to write exams when they were not ready, Madisha said.

“We propose that pupils in both provinces undergo an intensive teaching and learning phase ahead of their crucial exams.” - Sapa