The Basic Education Department has expressed concerns about power cuts and cheating during exams.

This as the Matric class of 2022 prepares to sit for the final examinations, which begin on the 25th of this month.

Motshekga was speaking at the Matric Prayer Service at the Kholathuto Secondary School in Qwaqwa in the Free State on Sunday.

“When we write exams, we really do communicate a lot with the Department of Energy to say during this period, if possible, could we just suspend power cuts, but I can’t guarantee that we will be able to fully do away with power cuts when there are power cuts in the country. So, we will have to navigate our way like everybody else navigates their way.”

Matric Class of 2022 final exams around the corner:

Motshekga also told guests at the prayer service that her portfolio is one of the toughest to manage. She says the province has led robust systems that have raised the bar in education.

Motshekga, the Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela, and the MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, were among the leaders at the Free State’s Matric prayer service.

"While we acknowledge the pressure that comes with writting year end examinations, our hope is that our learners do not crumble and instead demonstrate what they learnt throughout the year.

"The class of 2022 have huge boots to fill after their predecessors' wonders, when the Free State Province, under the tutelage of Mampudi, MEC Makgoe, became the best performing province in the country. Although we have every intention of holding on to our title, it is impotant that the learners do not place themselves under unnecesary pressure. 

"We have faith in them and with support from all of us, the class of 2022, just like those who came before them, will do well in their examinations.

"Good luck to you all," Ntombela said in a message posted on Facebook.

Over one thousand matric pupils from six schools in Phuthaditjhaba were invited to join the service.

SABC News