Study groups helpful during exams

The examinations, which will span a month, mark the end of a four-year course, from Form One to Form Four. Of course a considerable number of candidates are not first-timers as they are making a second attempt or even more to the examinations, but all eyes and expectations are on those taking them for the first time as these have a bearing on their future .

For some, this is a time they have been waiting for while others dread the coming of the hour like it is doomsday.

I remember when I was doing Form Four and we were going towards the examinations, the last four weeks were for revision of all the work we had covered during the year. This was the time to take note our strengths and weaknesses.

The secret for getting prepared for the final examinations, besides studying hard, is getting into revision study groups where each one of the candidates makes contributions and that assists even those who would have not prepared well during the course of the year.

The worst thing to do for any candidate is to cram. As much as it might appear good, once you forget one word in a sentence or point the whole point or fact disappears from the mind. A word of advice to all candidates, do not cram as you go into an examination. That is dangerous.

The year 2012 was different as teachers did not go on strike for salaries and incentives as has been the case in the past few years.

In the past, pupils would be pardoned for failing as they would have lost precious time during the time teachers would be on industrial action. Usually this has been during the first weeks of each school term.

However, be that as it may, the past two months have been characterised by irregularities, which threatened to disrupt the most important period on the calendar of pupils’ year.

There was an incident when nine pupils, five girls and four boys were suspended from Inyathi High School for allegedly engaging in sexual activities at the school premises where they had gone for holiday lessons.

The nine were suspended from school and spent the whole of September and October at home. According to the Provincial Education Director for Matabeleland North Province Mrs Boitathelo Mnguni, they will write the examinations from home after being found guilty of delinquency and immoral behaviour.

At least 16 boys and several other girls were lucky to escape with corporal punishment for a similar offence. That must be a difficult lesson for them and a warning to would-be offenders.

Recently, the most topical incident was that of Sijawugwe Secondary School not only in the same province but district as well.

The deputy headmaster of the school lost a total of 13 “O” Level examination papers while travelling from Bulawayo to the school on a Sunday.

This resulted in the Zimsec withdrawing the papers, sending shockwaves among candidates who thought that the move would affect the timetable.

The reset papers were English Paper 1 and 2, Mathematics Non-Calculator Version paper 1 and 2, Geography Paper 1 and 2, Integrated Science Paper 1, 2 and 3, Commerce Paper 1 and 2 and Ndebele Paper 1 and 2.

There has been a considerable improvement in the learning environment and material, with the Government and other stakeholders chipping in through the Education Transition Fund where schools receive learning and teaching material. Now most pupils have a book each thanks to the fund.

“The Ministry of Education Sport, Arts and Culture introduced a system whereby pupils are grouped according to their performance. This is good as it prepares them for the exams but at the same demotivates those who are put in lower groups.

“This year teachers did not go on industrial action and Unicef donated books under the Education Transition Fund then there is no excuse for failure by candidates,” said a teacher from a local school.

Even some pupils already have confidence in themselves. Speaking ahead of the public tests, a Form Four pupil said he was ready for the examinations.

“I am ready because I feel I have covered enough ground and think I know a few of concepts,” said Constantine Ncube, who attends a local secondary school.

To all pupils out there, the four years you spent in school is being reduced to less than three hours; the time that would determine the direction your life would take henceforth.

We used to know of a vernacular statement that inkomo kayinoneli emakethi, but it is never too late to mend, you can still pick your books and prepare for the next paper. After the last paper, exchange numbers with friends and classmates and you will meet in high school or college. Wishing you the best of luck!