Siyabuswa - Matrics at one Mpumalanga school in Siyabuswa, near KwaMhlanga, appear confident they will achieve good marks for their first English exam, which they wrote this morning.
A total of 56 337 matrics in Mpumalanga sat for the first English Paper today. A total of 48 987 are full time and 7 350 are part time candidates.
"I have been preparing for this time since last year with my friends, studying in groups," said 18-year-old, Alex Sindane from Sobantu High School.
"Last year I obtained three distinctions, which were not enough for me. This year I am going to make sure that I get all seven distinctions. I am going to be amongst Mpumalanga and the country's best performing learners."
A well-prepared Amanda Mnisi, 18, said she enjoyed writing the English paper and looked forward to getting distinctions in all the subjects she is doing.
"It was an easy day for me. What remains is for me to give it my all and the results will speak for themselves. I will obtain seven distinctions, nakanjani (one way or the other). I'm not even nervous or scared because I know how prepared I am," said Mnisi.
Sobantu High School was one of the schools that produced a pass rate which was above the provincial benchmark of 64%.
School Principal Abraham Ndinisa said the school produced a 74% matric pass rate. However, this was lower than the 77% pass rate produced in 2010.
He admitted that subjects like accounting, maths, economics and physical science were problematic, but was confident the matrics were prepared. "Our learners are prepared and we know that they are going to do us proud in these problematic subjects," said Ndinisa.
Provincial Education MEC Reginah Mhaule visited the high school to monitor the first day of the year-end exams.
Speaking to pupils before they sat for the exam, she said: "I'm not here to wish you good luck because that is a chance. I am here to demand a pass from you. You have been preparing for this day since Grade 1, so now you must make sure you pass more than those who wrote exams in previous years." - SAnews.gov.za
