AS THE Northern Cape Department of Education prepares to release the 2024 matric results in Kimberley on Tuesday, matric pupils across the Province have described the anticipation as feeling like a sword hanging over their heads.

Many matric pupils were hesitant to voice their expectations for their final examination results, stating that they “just want to pass.”

A Grade 12 learner from William Pescod High School in Kimberley, Isabella Maile, said she does not want to be overconfident about her results at this stage.

“I did prepare well, but there were days where I would study and then thereafter doubt whether I actually understood the work. There were some personal challenges I faced at home, but I had to ignore those problems and focus on my studies. I am praying that I pass my Grade 12 as I want to study teaching,” said Maile.

A learner from Northern Cape High School in Kimberley, Aleah Kock, credited her exam preparation, divine intervention, and support from her family and teachers for helping her to keep a “cool head” under the pressure.

“This was a very challenging and nerve-racking examination, but I managed to keep calm and to do my best at all times. I had enrolled in extra-classes, which is a great advantage. I am anxiously waiting on my results as my future in pursuing a career in biokinetics or a law degree is greatly dependent on these final results. However, I am certain that I will pass as I have sown positive seeds to ensure that I come out victorious,” said Kock.

A matric learner from Gariep High School in Prieska, Hlophang Staffa, said he made the necessary preparations to ensure that he passes his final exams.

“I compiled a study timetable months in advance of the final examinations. I am not too stressed about my results and know I will do wel … All I want to see on my results is that I have passed my final year. Once I have read that, then I will look at my symbols,” he chuckled.

Staffa, who aspires to become a professional soccer player, admitted that some subjects caught learners off-guard.

“The Business Studies paper was a challenging paper as we did not really do any work on that subject. We got notes from the teachers and had to study those notes, but the work was not explained in-depth to us,” he said.

His cousin, Sizeka Staffa, said she followed a strict study plan to ensure overall success during the exams.

“I prepared by creating a study schedule, which I stuck to, and I broke my study material into manageable chunks and then did revision regularly. There were days that I studied through the night. My greatest challenge during the exams was time management and managing my stress levels when I wrote multiple exam papers. I am aiming to pass, but if I can obtain a distinction or two, that would wonderful,” said Sizeka.

Another learner from Groblershoop High School, Amor de Wee, also said that Business Studies was one of the most difficult subjects in the final exams.

“Business Studies and Maths Literacy were my most challenging papers. We did not do much work in Business Studies, but the teachers did warn us that we would be writing about the subject in the final exam,” said De Wee.

She said she is crossing her fingers and hoping to achieve at least two distinctions.

“I am praying for a distinction in Tourism and one for English. I did prepare well in advance for my exams and studied through the night to prepare for some of the subjects. My future plan is to study Tourism or Business Management at Boston College or Kathu College. I have already applied to both institutions and they are just awaiting my final results,” said De Wee.

The Northern Cape recorded a matric pass rate of 75.84% in 2023.

Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul, accompanied by MEC for Education Abraham Vosloo, will announce the 2024 matric results during a media briefing on Tuesday. This will be followed by the Matric Awards Ceremony thereafter.