Soweto - Matric pupils in some of the underperforming schools in Soweto are hopeful that they have done well in their English Paper 1.
The pupils described the paper as "manageable" if one studied. They attributed this to their teachers, who put in extra hours to ensure that they were fully prepared.
"The year has been tough. Our school gave us a lot of extra classes. There was a time where I carried three lunchboxes because the classes would drag on until 5.30pm, but looking back now, I'm grateful," Brenda Serame, who was one of the first pupils to come out of the exam hall at Senaone Secondary School.
Another learner, Thando Maduna, said she was relaxed and well prepared for the paper.
"It went well. I was nervous but I'm glad this is over... I am more prepared for my maths and science paper though - I can't wait for them," she said.
This was the general feeling for most of the learners from Moletsane Secondary when BuaNews spoke to them after the paper.
"I don't like discussing the paper but all went ok," said a learner, who introduced himself as Sipho.
A group of girls discussing the paper also seemed relaxed after the exam.
"This was an icebreaker, I'm glad it was [ok] - at least it's giving me hope and courage for the next papers," said one learner.
The Gauteng Education Department is working on a tight deadline to reach their 80% pass rate goal by 2014. In 2010, the pass rate was 78.6%.
