Although Stellenbosch University (SU) is not currently changing application dates, the university is committed to monitoring application processes in order to ensure the continuation of the university’s academic year.
This was according to SU spokesperson Martin Viljoen.
With empty classrooms around the country due to the national lockdown, the challenge is to provide access to online learning for students to catch up. (PHOTO: Unsplash)
“SU will consider reducing admission requirements for certain programs and in some cases, consider using Grade 11 final results for admission,” Viljoen said.
“Should the Grade 11 marks be used for final admission, the quality of the marks will probably have to be considered to determine whether there are adjustments (eg. maths) to be made.
An action plan will be in place to respond to the final results, which could entail changes to the minimum academic requirements,” said Viljoen.
Earlier this month, the head of the Department of Curriculum Studies at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Faculty of Education, Michael le Cordeur, said in an opinion piece that appeared in the Daily Maverick that South African schools should consider encouraging matriculants to use their September results in their university applications for 2021, instead of using their June results, as teaching has been affected by to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Exams should not be our main focus right now. Not only is it insensitive towards most households, it increases the stress of learners who are already wondering how they are going to pass matric,” wrote Le Cordeur.
If implemented, this would be different to the normal process where matriculants would use their June examination results to apply for provisional acceptance at a university or college.
Schools with no access to online platforms to carry out virtual teaching and learning should be assisted by the government by exploring other options to make sure learners receive learning content, wrote Le Cordeur.
“It is wrong to think that online lectures will reach all schools. The lockdown can last a long time,” he said.
Viljoen said that SU was monitoring the application trends closely.
“If there are any changes in our application pool, the necessary amendments to our process will be made and communicated but it is important to note how our academic calendar would be impacted by the release of the Matric results,” Viljoen told MatieMedia.
Photo 1: Government is working to help Grade 12 learners who do not have access to online platforms. (PHOTO: Unsplash)
‘Not all of us can buy data’
The Department of Education has created online support programs with online and broadcast support resources that put more focus on matric learners.
On a provincial level, the Western Cape Education Department has introduced programmes to assist learners with learning at home, said Debbie Schäfer, Western Cape Education minister in an online statement.
#Covid19SA We've put together online resources to support learning at home during the #21daysLockdown. Visit our website https://t.co/7WwPVDOJXV to access these resources, including tips on dealing with homework and extending learning at home @ElijahMhlanga pic.twitter.com/4SXyDy7yXS
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) March 24, 2020
“There is much that can be done during this period of lockdown to keep our Grade 12 learners engaged and focused on the task that lies ahead,” said Schäfer.
Meanwhile, Kayamandi High School matriculant, Somila Notoza said that she uses WhatsApp to access some work. However, she is worried about her and her classmates’ ability to prepare in time to write any assessment.
“Some of my classmates have formed a WhatsApp group where we all share notes and exam papers from past years, but not all of us can buy data to get [this] work. I think it will affect our results at the end of the year,” she said.
A guardian of another matriculant at the same school, Vuyani Mqoco, told MatieMedia that his daughter is using past papers and educational programs introduced by the SABC to try and catch up with her work.
“My child watches the programmes on tv that will help her do work when she’s at home. I just hope that it will be enough and that she is prepared to write her exams,” he said.