‘Don’t stress, reach out for help,’ advises SADAG

A month before the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams get underway, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) has encouraged parents to check in on their teens’ stress levels.

SADAG says it’s important for parents and guardians to also keep the lines of communication open and monitor their children’s stress levels.

The appeal comes as this exam season is usually filled with a lot of anxiety for matriculants and their parents as the learners’ NSC marks a culmination of 12 years of hard work, which many of them believe that their entire future solely relies on exam results.

The class of 2024 will officially sit for their first paper from the 21st of October.

In the audio clip below – SADAG’s Project Manager, Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha, shares some tips parents and matriculants can use to try avoiding stress.

The group has also encouraged the Grade 12 learners to join SADAG’s free Matric Support Group for support and advise.

According to SADAG, the group offers learners valuable insights to help reduce their anxiety, leaving them feeling empowered to tackle their exams with confidence.

Earlier the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, assured matriculants that they don’t have to wait for their final results in order to apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

NSFAS applications for the 2025 Academic year officially opened today and will close on the 15th of December.

In an effort to ensure that learners across the country get the opportunity to apply for bursaries and student loans, Minister Nkabane said NSFAS will have outreach programmes targeting the rural and township communities.