GEORGE NEWS - Thembalethu High School interim principal Mbuyiseni Edward Magxaka said he is pleased that none of his Grade 12 learners are pregnant in this final exam time as this presents challenges to invigilators and learners alike.

In late October a pregnant matric learner (17) started experiencing labour pains while writing exams at school in Johannesburg. The girl, who was writing maths literature, endured excruciating pain.

Teachers later moved her to finish writing the paper in a separate office, after which she was transported to hospital where she gave birth.

Magxaka said when there's a learner who is pregnant during exams, special preparations must be made for her in order for her to complete the exams.

"Fortunately this year we didn't have such cases," he said.

According to the Western Cape Department of Education's policy on managing pregnancy during senior certificate examination, when a full-time Grade 12 candidate becomes pregnant, the principal must deal with the case as follows:

• In cases where special arrangements are required, the principal must immediately report the pregnancy to the Director: Examinations at the department and submit a medical certificate as proof.
• The learner has the right and choice to attend school up to as close to the confinement date as is considered medically advisable.
• If a learner will be 32 weeks pregnant or more on 1 October of the Grade 12 year, as indicated in a medical certificate, she will have the following options:

(a) To write the October / November Senior Certificate Examinations in a separate examination room at the school or at a separate venue in the vicinity;

(b) To write the October / November Senior Certificate Examinations at another centre as a private candidate, should she decide to terminate full-time school attendance. In this case the conditions pertaining to special centres contained in paragraphs 3.3.1 to 3.3.5 of the policy will be applicable.

(c) To enter for the supplementary examinations in the following March.

The reason for these options is that candidates have the right to write their Senior Certificate Examinations in the best possible examination environment, and if a candidate in an advanced stage of pregnancy goes into labour during an examination session, it can cause great upset.

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