The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Correspondent
A 19-year-old girl based in Bulawayo has defied odds by scoring 20 points in science subjects in the 2020 Advanced Level Cambridge examinations, at a time when learning was disrupted by the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
Stacey Sinikiwe Sayi, based in Khumalo, who was the headgirl at Dominican Convent High School, scored the 20 points after sitting for Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry. Schools last year opened for face-to-face examinations for a limited time after the Government introduced lockdown after the outbreak of Covid-19.
Most schools conducted lessons online while some pupils relied on illegal physical extra lessons offered by private tutors. Sayi attributed her success to the team of teachers who took their time to adapt to the new normal of teaching online.
“On juggling school closure and preparing for examinations I consider myself lucky to have been part of a school that offered online lessons during the lockdown due to Covid-19. I also owe it to my teachers, friends and family for encouraging me throughout the year which made me enjoy all my subjects so it was easy to stay focused. Our teachers would usually send notes and links to YouTube videos via Google classroom at the beginning of the week.
We would go through the notes at our own pace. Once a week, usually on a Friday, we would have a Google meet to discuss any questions we had or difficulties we faced. Our teachers were always available to assist one-on-one if there were any questions.”
Heading to the examinations which were held in December, Sayi said she was nervous and that bridge has been crossed with her eyes set on pursuing a science career dream.
“Right now, I’m keeping my options open but I definitely want to pursue a career in any science related field,” she said.
@mthabisi_mthire
