With only 49 days to go, school infrastructure problems in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal pose a serious threat to matriculants' exam preparations. Picture: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers / File
With 49 days left before the 2024 final matric exams, concerns are growing about the readiness of school infrastructure across several provinces in South Africa.
Key provinces such as Limpopo, North West, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal face ongoing challenges that could hinder matriculants' ability to prepare adequately for their final exams, despite efforts by provincial education departments to address the issues.
In Limpopo, many schools, especially in rural areas, continue to face inadequate infrastructure, with some still relying on pit latrines.
This has affected the learning environment, making it difficult for students to focus fully on exam preparation. Although textbook deliveries have been a priority, the lack of proper sanitation and classroom facilities remains a significant obstacle.
The Eastern Cape similarly struggles with deteriorating school buildings and overcrowded classrooms, particularly in urban areas. The province has been slow in addressing these issues, leaving many learners without the proper facilities they need to focus on their studies as the final matric exams approach.
In the North West, there has been some progress, with the eradication of pit latrines and improvements in the delivery of textbooks and learning materials.
However, disparities between districts, such as Bojanala, persist, and leadership vacancies continue to impact overall school readiness. The province is working to address these issues, but time is running out to ensure that all matriculants are adequately prepared.
KwaZulu-Natal is still recovering from storm damage earlier in the year, which disrupted school infrastructure across several districts.
Many schools are relying on temporary solutions, such as mobile classrooms, but the slow pace of repairs has raised concerns about the province's readiness for the final exams. Learners in these affected areas face the added pressure of studying in unstable environments, which could impact their performance.
As the final matric exams draw nearer, these infrastructure challenges highlight the urgent need for continued government intervention and investment in schools.
While progress has been made in some areas, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all learners have access to the resources and facilities they need to succeed in their exams.
IOL