Mixed reaction to matric results plan

Cape Town 140108- Sinoxolo Wellem from Harry Gwala, Asanda Mazwi( friend) and Nomandla Mahlasela from Joe Slovo high celebrates after they saw their names in the Cape Argus newspaper. Matriculants buys the Cape Argus newspaper to look for their matric results. Picture Cindy waxa. Reporter Argus

Cape Town 140108- Sinoxolo Wellem from Harry Gwala, Asanda Mazwi( friend) and Nomandla Mahlasela from Joe Slovo high celebrates after they saw their names in the Cape Argus newspaper. Matriculants buys the Cape Argus newspaper to look for their matric results. Picture Cindy waxa. Reporter Argus

Published Nov 27, 2014

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Cape Town - A decision to discontinue publishing matriculants’ names with their results in newspapers has drawn mixed reaction from pupils and principals – ranging from “ridiculous” to “a step in the right direction”.

On Tuesday, the Department of Basic Education said the Council of Education Ministers had decided to publish only the ID numbers and exam numbers of the class of 2014.

However, department spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said on Wednesday only the exam numbers would be published in newspapers. He did not explain this amendment.

The decision followed a recommendation by a committee, appointed by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, “that the practice should be reviewed, given the unintended harm that it may cause and the modern technological alternatives for communication”.

Brian Isaacs, principal of South Peninsula High School in Diep River, said the decision had been taken unilaterally without consulting pupils or teachers.

“What’s wrong with a South African tradition that celebrates excellence? School should prepare children to deal with failure but it’s like we have to be too oversensitive. Where will we draw the line? Do we have to stop publishing sport results or will teachers not be able to read out test results in class anymore?”

He said the department was looking for ghosts where there were none, and deflecting from the real issues.

Richard Daly, principal of The Settlers High in Bellville, said when the tradition started there were no electronic media for pupils and their families to access the results.

“Maybe it is time to move to other forms of communication.”

The school’s head boy Luvuyo Mdlalo said pupils felt a sense of pride when they saw their names in the newspaper.

“It’s something you look forward to. I don’t think there are many positives to the decision (not to publish).”

Bridgette Mgidi, a matric pupil at the Centre of Science and Technology in Khayelitsha, was happy with the decision. “Your results are a personal matter. Publishing results puts a lot of pressure on us.”

Lwando Gqobho, who is in matric at the same school, said knowing that the results would be published encouraged matrics to do well.

Ashleigh Wichman, a matric candidate at Good Hope Seminary High School in the city centre, said: “It all depends on the result. If you do well you don’t mind if people see your results, but if you don’t you might feel differently. I do think it’s better to publish exam numbers.”

Tanya Lippert of Rhodes High in Mowbray was relieved when she heard the names would not be published because results “are a personal thing”.

She said pupils should be able to decide who they want to share it with.

“It could be embarrassing if you fail or the result is not as good as you hoped. It can lead to them hurting themselves. Parents put a lot ofpressure on children.”

The Young Communist League of South Africa said on Wednesday that only half the battle had been won.

“We believe that in publishing the results, the people that benefit the most are the private owners and shareholders of newspapers through the profits they make from skyrocketing sales driven by the results. We maintain that matric results are between the learner and the department. They should be kept confidential between the two parties and not splashed in newspapers.”

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