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It is again that time of the year, when the examination fever is in the air all over South Africa. As COPE Student Movement we would like to send our best wishes to all students in tertiary institutions. It is important that every student gives their best of their ability, because this period is not only about simply getting a degree, but it is a time where future leaders in various spheres of society are being crafted.

We therefore encourage all students to act responsibly and avoid involvement in activities that may threaten them from achieving the best of results. It is common knowledge that students in tertiary institutions are well orientated with the partying life and alcohol consumption, but now is not the time for any student to look forward in advancing that part of their life before academic excellence.

Our good luck wishes also extend to Matric students who are starting this week to write their last exams within the confines of basic education. As COPE Student Movement we would like to plead with all parents, across all divides of our South African society, to play a responsible role in ensuring the success of their children. All parents need to provide the necessary support required by these learners and parents must be sensitive with the workload that these youngsters are faced with.

House chores and other duties must be tabled in a way that does not cause prejudice to the success of these learners. We do realise that the education system in our country is in a state of regress, but we encourage learners to look beyond this and ensure that they achieve their best.

COPE Student Movement calls upon the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angie Motshega, to take responsibility for all the rural schools that are going into exams without Maths or Physics teachers or any other learning area. The Minister must, without delay, employ people in the interim to close these gaps and ensure that no student is left out in the cold simply because they are outside of the major urban population centres. These students will fail because the Department of Education has long failed them.

Finally, 58 years ago, a patriot of this country was born; a self-determined and selfless leader came into being. We as COPESM would like to send Birthday wishes to the COPE leader in Parliament, Dr Mvume Dandala. May he be blessed with many more years, so that South Africa may continue to learn from his wisdom. It is men of his calibre that give us hope as young people that our country will continue to emerge amongst other nations.