In Conversation With Acting Director – Communication and Research: Terence Khala (Dept. Basic Education)

Loading player...
After another record matric pass rate in South Africa, young learners continue to face challenges when their results don’t meet their academic or career goals. Data from organisations supporting matric rewrites shows that about 8 out of 10 learners who rewrite their exams significantly improve their marks, opening doors to higher education access and better job prospects. 
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) offers learners the opportunity to rewrite selected matric subjects through programmes such as the Second Chance Matric Programme, which allows learners who did not achieve their desired results — or who missed exams — to return and improve their performance. 
These second-chance opportunities are crucial in a country where access to higher education and meaningful employment is still tightly linked to matric results. Improved marks can increase learners’ confidence, eligibility for university or college admission, and qualification for bursaries or learnerships. 
Yet, rewriting matric is not without its challenges. It can be stressful, time-consuming and costly; and success is not guaranteed for every candidate. 
Today we speak with a representative from the Department of Basic Education to unpack the policy behind retracing assessments, the support available for learners, and how the education system ensures that rewrite opportunities are fair, accessible and effective.
26 Jan English South Africa Entertainment News · Music Interviews

Other recent episodes

IN CONVERSATION WITH MA MATSHELENG MOGODI, Executive Life Coach

The transition from high school to university is one of the most significant and 11:10 disruptive shifts in a young person’s life. For many first-year students at Wits, this transition comes with academic pressure, independence for the first time, financial stress, identity exploration, and the emotional weight of expectations from…
29 Jan 20 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH NYELETI MAGADZE

Johannesburg’s inner city has long grappled with a growing homelessness challenge, shaped by unemployment, rapid urbanisation, high living costs and intersecting social issues such as substance dependency and mental health needs. Recent local data — including the first standalone Point-in-Time Count coordinated by Jozi My Jozi with partners such as…
29 Jan 13 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH LWANA CHIRWA

The Wits Fencing Club is one of the oldest sports clubs at the University of the Witwatersrand, contributing skilled athletes to South African fencing for over 85 years. It welcomes students of all interests — whether they want fun, fitness, camaraderie, or competitive sport.  Members train with peers, develop tactical…
29 Jan 10 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MARCO SALVADO

The Wits Squash Club is part of Wits Sport’s diverse sporting community that supports over 20 sports codes available to students on campus. The club is known for being welcoming and inclusive, providing a space for members of all ability levels — from total beginners to experienced players — to…
29 Jan 12 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH KOKETSO POHO

The suspension of Rea Vaya feeder buses in parts of Soweto has triggered sharp political and public backlash, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng accusing the City of Johannesburg of making a unilateral and profit- driven decision that undermines access to affordable public transport. According to the EFF,…
29 Jan 13 min