With only a few weeks before grade 12 learners will sit for their final examinations, agricultural learners have been urged to study hard and believe in themselves as they prepare for the exams.
Principals, teachers, and learners who sat for the examinations last year said the current cohort need to focus on their work and, in preparing for the final, they have to engage one another and rest.
Teamwork is the best
Agricultural teacher at Augsburg Landbougimnasium Hugo Coetzee said his advice to matriculants would be that they ask their teachers if they do not understand something.
“What I will say is that the pupils should ask their teachers if they find things difficult or they should ask their friends. Someone will be able to assist you.
“What I do in our school is that we work the question papers in groups and it is important for them to have study mates or groups to ask questions and assist each other,” he said.
Coetzee added that they have a WhatsApp group and have online sessions where learners are free to ask anything in preparing for their final papers.
Theory and practical knowledge is key
“Knowing the book knowledge for agricultural subjects is okay and fine, however, being able to use it practically will also help the learners with their examinations.
“For example, if a teacher makes a practical exercise in a subject like agricultural technology, it is very important that learners notice what the teacher does, the book gives knowledge but the practical sets you apart,” he explained.
Coetzee advised learners to not leave questions unanswered if they do not know the responses. Instead, they should try their level best and attempt to answer.
“Do not leave anything open, try your best and use common sense for the answers. It is going to be busy, it is going to be tough, and it is going to be stressful. However, plan your day and activities.
“Tighten your belt and remember that everyone makes mistakes and that is not the end of the world,” he said.
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Timely intervention
Principal Moshebeimang Serei of the PH Moeketsi Agricultural School in North West said it is time for the learners who have been working extremely hard to put everything into their final test.
Serei said they plan on hitting the ground running on the first day of the fourth term while assessing results from earlier in the year. From here, the teachers will identify what needs to be done.
“We have started working and have identified learners with lower performances. Intervention and the strengthening of our oversight will help us ensure that our learners are fully prepared ahead of their examinations.
“There will be a lot of intervention lessons from our side as a school and different mediums like radio and TV will be utilised. We encourage our learners to really listen and take part in them as they will come in handy in their preparations,” he said.
Serei called on those learners who have been dragging their feet to pull up their socks and work on improving their marks.
According to Serei, even if they got a fair share of challenges, the target is 100% and they believe that with the systems they have put in place, they will be able to deliver.
A clear plan
Meanwhile, dedicated grade 12 learner at Tjetje Technical High School in Limpopo Jeniffer Maphosa said despite facing difficulty this year, she is determined to pull through.
“As for me, I want to study agricultural technology at Wits University, and I clearly understand the admission requirements and there is no way that I could underperform.
“I am also familiarising myself with the industry by watching a lot of agricultural sector videos on YouTube and assisting my teacher with agricultural projects at school,” she said.
Maphosa said she could not allow peer pressure to overpower her as she wants to do well and as a young person passionate about agriculture, she intends to go far in the industry.
“It is not easy to stay motivated, especially in rural areas where alcohol and sex have taken centre stage. Most young people would rather take the shortcut of making money like dating sugar daddies and taking part in criminal activities,” she added.
The final national senior certificate examinations will start on 30 October until the 5 December with results expected to be released in January 2024.
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