08 Oct 2020

Minister of Basic Education Mr Fidelis Molao has appealed to schools and Botswana Examination Council (BEC) to ensure that pupils on quarantine or isolation for COVID-19 but not ill are facilitated to write examinations as guided by health authorities.

Briefing media and Ministry of Basic Education staff, Mr Molao also said necessary precaution should be taken to ensure that both candidates and invigilators were safe from the virus.

The minister further said there were 46 183 candidates registered for Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE), 44 323 for Junior Certificate in Education (JCE) and 36 767 for Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE).

He said the numbers included candidates from both government and private schools as well as Botswana Open University candidates.

He said the academic year was different from any other as learners were writing examinations faced with the COVID-19 pandemic challenge and called on school leadership, learners and BEC to ensure COVID-19 compliance at all times during examinations.

“Public transporters should also do their best to comply with COVID-19 protocols at this time as they carry candidates to and from school for examinations to avoid the spread of the virus,” he said.

Mr Molao said frequent washing of hands, proper wearing of masks and social distancing would go a long way in containing the spread of COVID-19.

He said examinations for practical subjects at secondary school level had already started with PSLE starting on October 12, JCE on November 2 and BGCSE on November 19.

He called on all stakeholders including parents to support learners during examination time. Learners were encouraged to ensure that they were fully prepared for examinations and were advised to rest, sleep, eat right and stay focused.

Minister  Molao said examination time was the time for learners to demonstrate clear understanding of issues learnt and to reap benefit of hard work.

“Learners should be determined to excel and not stress or be anxious about the examinations,” he said. ENDS