The Far East Rand dean calls on the Catholic community to pray for Grade 12 learners, avoid putting them under pressure and encourage them to seek help when overwhelmed.
As the Class of 2026 prepares to write its final matric examinations, Father Chaka Motanyane OP, the dean of the Far East Rand Deanery in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, has called on learners, parents and the wider Catholic community to approach the examination period with faith, encouragement and understanding.
In a message to Catholics in the Far East Rand Deanery and across the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, Father Chaka wished matric learners well as they begin their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on Tuesday, 13 October.
“Be focused. You have had all this opportunity to learn. Now is the time to show what you have learned in the past 11 years of your life at school,” he said.
The 2026 examinations will run until 26 November, marking an important milestone for hundreds of thousands of learners across South Africa.
According to figures released by the national government on 12 October, a record 962 832 learners have registered for the October/November examinations. This includes 815 051 full-time learners and 147 781 part-time learners, including those seeking to improve their previous results.
A call to support, not pressure, learners
While encouraging matrics to remain focused and demonstrate what they have learnt throughout their schooling, Father Chaka also appealed to parents, friends, classmates and the broader community not to add to the pressure learners already face.
He cautioned against setting expectations that could increase anxiety, such as telling learners that their families expect them to achieve a particular number of distinctions.
Instead, he encouraged families to create an environment in which young people feel supported and confident as they prepare for their examinations.
“They are already under so much pressure,” he said, urging the Catholic community to support learners, pray for them and reassure them that they can do well.
His message highlights the importance of recognising that matric examinations can be an emotionally demanding period. While academic performance is important, learners also need reassurance that they are valued beyond their marks.
For parents and guardians, this means offering encouragement rather than comparisons, providing a suitable environment for studying and allowing learners the space to concentrate on their preparation.
Learners encouraged to seek help
Father Chaka also urged matriculants who feel overwhelmed or unable to cope with the pressure to reach out to someone they trust. He identified parents, priests, school social workers and professionals at clinics as possible sources of support for learners who need someone to talk to.
“If they feel under pressure, they cannot cope, they must reach out to somebody that they can talk to,” he said.
Families and communities are encouraged to remain attentive to learners’ emotional well-being, particularly when they experience stress, fear or uncertainty about their results.
A Catholic community united in prayer
Father Chaka assured matrics that the Catholic family in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg would keep them in its prayers throughout the examination period.
His message places prayer alongside practical support, encouraging learners to do their best while trusting in the preparation they have received.
For the Class of 2026, the coming weeks will require discipline, determination and perseverance. However, Father Chaka’s message is that learners should not have to navigate the journey alone.
He concluded by wishing learners well and encouraging them to approach their examinations with confidence.
He concluded his message to South Africa’s largest full-time matric cohort to date: “To the Class of 2026: May you remain focused, believe in yourselves and remember that your community is praying for you. Good luck with your examinations!”
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