This is the question that is on everyone's lips. It appears that at the moment the results cannot be released because subject teachers have not submitted coursework marks for the pupils. While the circumstances that led to the current sorry state are known to all, we believe that time has come for all concerned to now do what is in the best interest of the child. Yes, child, for many of those who sat the examinations are children. Needless to say, the children are greatly anxious, as are their parents and guardians. Never in the history of this country have we had to face such a negative prospect. Given such a scenario we cannot help but ask ourselves if, when they finally do come, the results will be representative of the pupils' work, and if all those who sat the exams will receive their results. The Junior Certificate pupils have to proceed to Form Four, and that normally happens early February, as they would have received their results in December. We are past mid-January and the results still have not been issued. We ask ourselves, as does every pupil, parent and guardian when the children will be able to proceed to Form Four. Already we know that the school calendar has been shortened to accommodate the new winter schedule. We ask ourselves if Form Four pupils will even be able to attend the first term of school. Will the children be expected to go to school during winter to make up for the lost time? If results are released today, will the children even have enough time to prepare for Senior Secondary School? Releasing results early also gives parents time and opportunity to make plans for their children, especially when they did not do well. For instance, parents with children who failed the exams may want them to repeat the class. And early January is the time when they are able to secure places for the children in private secondary schools. From the look of things, children whose parents will opt for this route will have to wait until next year. Similarly, pupils who sat their BGCSE will be hoping to go to university, either locally or abroad. Those who do not fare well may want to repeat the class - and it is not easy to get a Form Five place. The time to go looking for spaces would have been now. That means they may have to wait for the following year. Those who passed and qualify for university may equally be disadvantaged as they may not be able to beat admission deadlines. This raises a whole lot of questions. If the students are not able to meet university deadlines they will have to join or be joined by the next group. Will they all be able to get government sponsorship, which so many of our people depend on, now that there would be two groups? Too many careers may be at stake. Too many futures may be ruined, and we appeal to the father or mother in the Unionists, the teachers they represent on the one hand, and the Ministry of Education and Botswana Examinations Council on the other, to lay aside all egotistic encumbrances and expedite the release of the results, for the good of the child and the nation.
Today's thought
