By Umamah Bakharia

The Independent Examination Board (IEB) matric results were released, with the pass mark at 98.39%, slightly up from last year’s 98.06%. The Class of 2021 is the second group of matric’s to write their examinations during the Covid-19 pandemic which has becoming challenging for learners to adapt.

Radio Islam spoke to University of Witwatersrand (WITS) Professor Ruksana Osman on what to expect from the matric class of 2021.

“I don’t think there is going to be a dramatic change in the results [but] I do think that schools that prepare their students in a weak way [and] weren’t able to transition to online learning will see the significant dangers,” says Prof Osman.

She argues the entire 12 months of matric education should be looked and not judged based on matric results which puts a strain on the education system.

With rumors circulating that matric results that been compromised due to them completing their schooling in the challenging times of the pandemic.

Prof Osman replies to this and says, she does not believe that is the case but acknowledges that there are some gaps in science and mathematical subjects.

“Whether there is a pandemic, is not to look at what students come in with but it is what to do when your students are with you,” says Prof Osman.

Matric results will be available in newspapers as per previous years after the Gauteng High Court ruled earlier that the Department of Basic Education continue to publish the matric results publicly on media platforms and newspapers as it does not infringe the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).