South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday called on the Class of 2020 to summon their great reserves of courage and strength, saying this year’s examination will be written under unprecedented conditions.

More than a million candidates will sit for the examinations starting on Thursday.

“Despite all the challenges this year has brought, I call on the Class of 2020 to summon their great reserves of courage and strength in this, the final push. To the Class of 2020, I wish you the very best,” said Ramaphosa.

He explained that this examination would be the largest public exam ever administered in South Africa.

“To accommodate the disruptions the June Senior Certificate exams were postponed and will now be written together with the National Senior Certificate,” said Ramaphosa.

He said this examination would be written under unprecedented conditions.

He went on to explain that the country was in the midst of a global pandemic, which had brought the nation together in ways not experienced before, and this was demonstrated in the matriculation examination preparations.

Ramaphosa said that the Class of 2020 had overcame difficulties that would test the resolve of even the most experienced and hardened adults.

“The Class of 2020 has had to endure conditions their predecessors never had to confront. They had to adapt in real time not just to finish the curriculum but to catch up with the learning hours lost. Though some had access to online learning platforms and other resources, many had to struggle with access to learning material and teaching.”
 
The President cited that despite having the odds stacked against them, matriculants were determined to present for this exam that was the pinnacle of their schooling.

Ramaphosa said it had been equally difficult for educators and despite the risk posed by the virus and resource challenges inside schools, the majority of teachers heeded the call to return to school to salvage what was left of the academic year.

“When you enter the exam room in the days ahead, you will be carrying not just your own hopes for success and those of your families. You will also carry the hopes of us, the South African people,” he said.