7 Girls’ Safety Tips for Exam Season

4 August 2025 written by Michelle Lombard

We are celebrating National Women’s Month by empowering young women with confidence, safety, and support during exam times through girls’ safety awareness.

Let’s talk about girls’ safety

August is Women’s Month in South Africa, a time to honour the resilience, strength, and voice of South African women and girls.

We also understand that exam seasons can bring unique safety concerns for teenage girls, especially those travelling to exam centres alone, staying in unfamiliar areas, or managing high-stress environments. This Women’s Month, we want to celebrate our candidates, not only by recognising them but also by supporting and protecting them.

Why girls’ safety during exam seasons deserves our attention

While most formal exams take place during the day, the reality is that many teenage girls must travel early in the morning or wait in public spaces outside of our exam centres after their exams. These transitions create windows of vulnerability and affect girls’ safety.

According to the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention (CJCP), more than 1 in 5 South African learners have experienced some form of violence at or on their way to school. In its 2021 study, the CJCP reported that 22.2% of children aged 12–17 had encountered harassment, bullying, or verbal threats in public commuting spaces such as taxi ranks or bus stops (source).

Teen girls are particularly at risk of verbal and physical harassment in these environments, even during daylight hours. Creating safe, supportive systems around exam time is vital to ensuring their well-being and focus.

7 Practical safety tips for girls during exam seasons

Here are our top seven safety tips to promote girls’ safety and help teenage girls feel more confident and secure during exam seasons:

1. Plan your route in advance

Use reliable apps like Google Maps or Waze to plan your trip. Share your route with a family member, and stick to well-lit, busy areas if walking.

2. Only share your exam schedule with people you trust

Share your exam timetable with your trusted contacts. Let them know when you arrive and leave the venue.

3. Travel in groups when possible

If other candidates from your area are travelling to the same exam centre, consider coordinating lift clubs or travelling together.

4. Keep emergency contacts easily accessible

Store ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts in your phone and keep printed details in your bag or pencil case.

5. Avoid distractions while travelling

Stay alert. Avoid wearing headphones or being preoccupied with your phone while commuting.

6. Pack smart

Bring a light snack and any chronic medication you may need. Keep your ID, exam timetables, and stationery organised.

7. Trust your instincts

If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Move to a safer space or speak to someone you trust at the exam centre.

Creating a safe exam centre environment for girls

We go beyond just providing exam rooms. Our exam centres in Pretoria and Cape Town are designed to be safe, calm spaces where all candidates, and especially young women, feel respected and protected.

All exam rooms are monitored, our teams are trained to respond sensitively to candidate concerns, and we encourage open communication from parents and candidates alike. Girls can ask to speak privately to a female staff member if needed. Our team is always available to assist before and after exams.

Mental Safety Matters Too

Emotional safety is just as important as physical safety. Exam stress, self-doubt, and pressure to perform can take a toll on candidates.

Here are a few mental health tips for the season:

• Practice positive self-talk: Replace “I can’t do this” with “I’m prepared and doing my best.”
• Take breaks from social media: Comparison often fuels anxiety.
• Prioritise rest and nutrition: The brain needs fuel and recovery.
• Speak up if you’re struggling: Talk to a trusted adult or school counsellor.

A Community of Support This Women’s Month

This Women’s Month, we encourage everyone, parents, teachers, brothers, and peers, to be allies in creating safer environments for girls, not just during exams, but every day.

We are proud to walk alongside young women on their educational journeys. Your safety, your dreams, and your success matter.

Let’s continue to raise strong, informed, and supported daughters. When girls feel safe, they rise.

Content Sources

• Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention (CJCP). School Violence and Learner Safety Report 2021. Available at: https://cjcp.org.za
• Childline South Africa. Teen Safety Resources. Available at: https://www.childlinesa.org.za/
• Safe Schools Programme. Western Cape Education Department. Available at: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/safe-schools