An Eastern Cape matriculant missed out on being named as one of the top achievers in the province when the matric results were released last week due to a system bungle at the education department.
Anathi Mazamisa was one of 33 Nkwanca High School Grade 12 pupils whose agricultural science marks were missing from their statements. Just like thousands matric pupils, the 17-year-old woke up early on Friday morning and went to a petrol station to buy the Daily Dispatch. However, he was shocked when he could not find his examination number – meaning he had failed.
But when he went to the Komani school to get his statement, he received a pleasant surprise.
The straight-A pupil managed 100% in maths and physical science, 97% for life science, 93% for life orientation, 87% for English and 86% in isiXhosa.
“I was disappointed and felt like I had failed many people who believed in me. I was shocked when I went to get my statement that I had done so well,” said Mazamisa, who not only passed Grade 12 with flying colours, but was named the Chris Hani region’s top pupil of 2017.
“After my tutor Mavo Solomon took the matter to Facebook, it received a lot of attention and we received support.”
Mazamisa said he had been contacted by the department of education and was told that his results were being corrected.
“Sorting my results alone won’t change the situation because there are 32 more pupils who had the same problem in my class.
“I have friends who have the same problem and can’t get into university. I can’t rejoice while my friends can’t have access to higher education,” said Mazamisa.
He will be studying mechatronic engineering at the University of Cape Town.
Nkwanca High School principal Ntsikelelo Lutseke said the bungle had negatively affected the school’s performance.
“We received 67% with the 33 pupils excluded. I believe that if the 33 pupils were included, we would have done well,” he said.
Lutseke said the agricultural science class was the school’s best.
“I still don’t know what happened because no one came to the school to say they don’t see where the agricultural science marks are,” he said.
Lutseke said he reported the matter to district officials, who promised to rectify it.
Provincial education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the problem could have been with the system. “We don’t want to blame people. Mazamisa is the top learner in Chris Hani district and was given his results yesterday,” he said.
Mtima apologised to Mazamisa and his family for inconvenience. – thembiles@dispatch.co.za
100% for maths, 100% for science but some marks missing for top pupil
Anathi Mazamisa was one of 33 Nkwanca High School Grade 12 pupils whose agricultural science marks were missing from their statements. Just like thousands matric pupils, the 17-year-old woke up early on Friday morning and went to a petrol station to buy the Daily Dispatch. However, he was shocked when he could not find his examination number – meaning he had failed.
But when he went to the Komani school to get his statement, he received a pleasant surprise.
The straight-A pupil managed 100% in maths and physical science, 97% for life science, 93% for life orientation, 87% for English and 86% in isiXhosa.
“I was disappointed and felt like I had failed many people who believed in me. I was shocked when I went to get my statement that I had done so well,” said Mazamisa, who not only passed Grade 12 with flying colours, but was named the Chris Hani region’s top pupil of 2017.
“After my tutor Mavo Solomon took the matter to Facebook, it received a lot of attention and we received support.”
Mazamisa said he had been contacted by the department of education and was told that his results were being corrected.
“Sorting my results alone won’t change the situation because there are 32 more pupils who had the same problem in my class.
“I have friends who have the same problem and can’t get into university. I can’t rejoice while my friends can’t have access to higher education,” said Mazamisa.
He will be studying mechatronic engineering at the University of Cape Town.
Nkwanca High School principal Ntsikelelo Lutseke said the bungle had negatively affected the school’s performance.
“We received 67% with the 33 pupils excluded. I believe that if the 33 pupils were included, we would have done well,” he said.
Lutseke said the agricultural science class was the school’s best.
“I still don’t know what happened because no one came to the school to say they don’t see where the agricultural science marks are,” he said.
Lutseke said he reported the matter to district officials, who promised to rectify it.
Provincial education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the problem could have been with the system. “We don’t want to blame people. Mazamisa is the top learner in Chris Hani district and was given his results yesterday,” he said.
Mtima apologised to Mazamisa and his family for inconvenience. – thembiles@dispatch.co.za
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