South African social media users are reacting to a viral TikTok video from a matric learner who voiced frustrations with the 2024 exams. The learner’s candid comments about the recurring theme of Madam & Eve questions in almost every paper resonated with many who took to social media to share their own experiences.
In the video, the learner expressed how they were “genuinely tired” of the constant appearance of the same themes and characters, particularly Madam & Eve, a well-known South African comic strip, in the matric exams. The learner’s frustration struck a chord, as it mirrored the sentiments of many who’ve had similar experiences with repetitive content in their education.
Mzansi’s online community took to TikTok, Twitter, and other platforms to voice their agreement with the learner’s sentiments.
Watch the video below:
@Ratbucket commented, “Madam and Eve in every paper, guys, eish,” highlighting the repetitiveness of certain exam themes that have seemingly plagued the curriculum for years.
@Tyrelle weighed in, saying, “I’m genuinely so tired of hearing about social media for the past four years,” referencing how the influence of social media has become an overemphasized topic in education and exams, leaving some students feeling frustrated with its constant presence in their learning material.
Others chimed in with their own experiences, with @Dimplz sharing, “Sigh! I matriculated in 1998 and had Madam & Eve throughout high school.” This long-standing complaint about the presence of certain content over the years shows just how pervasive these exam themes have been across generations of South African learners.
The TikTok video and subsequent reactions have sparked wider conversations about the curriculum and the exam content in South Africa. Many students and alumni are now questioning whether the focus on repetitive themes like Madam & Eve reflects a lack of innovation in the education system. Critics argue that such content may not prepare students adequately for the real-world challenges they face in the job market, and that the curriculum needs updating to better reflect contemporary issues.
While the social media reactions are varied, they all point to a common desire for change—students want a more dynamic and relevant curriculum that reflects current trends and challenges, rather than recycling outdated themes.
It remains to be seen whether the Education Department will take notice of these frustrations voiced on social media and take steps toward revising the exam content. In the meantime, students across South Africa continue to brace themselves for the challenges of the 2024 matric exams, hoping for a more relevant and diverse set of questions.
For now, social media remains a powerful outlet for students to express their views on the education system, with many urging for greater modernization and responsiveness to the changing needs of learners.
