MEC Visits Grade 12 Holiday Tutoring Programme

As part of the Western Cape Education Department's (WCED's) "Own your future. Own your success. Study hard to pass YOUR matric" campaign, the WCED initiated a number of tutorial programmes throughout the province in the second term.

The tutoring programme aims to increase the pass rate in high enrolment subjects with high failure rates. After analysing the 2009 results, we have identified a number of subjects that deserve special attention. These are Mathematics, Physical Science, Geography, Life Sciences, Accounting and Economics. In 2009, each of these subjects had over ten thousand (10 000) enrolments with a failure rate of more than twenty percent (20%).

The programme is run by highly qualified and experienced teachers who have achieved excellent results in previous years in these subject areas.

The tutors were selected based on the following criteria: Tutors could not teach learners from their own schools, they had to have taught the subject for at least three (3) years at Grade twelve (12) level, and had to have a successful track record in both the pass rate and quality of passes in that particular subject.

Given the long June/July holiday this year, the WCED undertook to develop a proactive strategy that would ensure that teaching and learning would not be undermined over this period. Included in this strategy is the extension of tutorial programmes at selected schools.
In June 2010, one hundred and fifty four (154) venues are holding these programmes in the eight (8) districts:

• Metro North: thirty four (34)
• Metro East: twenty four (24)
• Metro South: seventeen (17)
• Metro Central: twenty one (21)
• Eden/Karoo: thirty (30)
• West Coast: eight (8)
• Overberg: eleven (11)
• Winelands: nine (9)

Further Education and Training (FET) Curriculum Advisors, Circuit team Managers and their teams are assigned to a tutorial venue to act as monitors at the tutorial sessions.

The tutorial programme at Masiphumelele High School in Fish Hoek will run for three (3) weeks, beginning on the 14th of June until the 29th of June 2010.

Subject tutorials on offer at Masiphumelele High School this week include Physical Science, Geography and Accounting. Other subject areas that have been covered are Mathematics and Life Sciences.

The school plans to increase its pass rate to over seventy percent (70%) in the National Senior Certificate examinations.

Masiphumelele High School is also holding separate winter classes in other subject areas over the winter holiday period. These classes will be taught by teachers from the school and is entirely voluntary.

This is very encouraging as it reflects the determination of our educators to improve learner outcomes at this school.

The enthusiasm by learners to take part in these programmes is also pleasing. We have only one hundred and ten (110) days to go before the final examinations begin, so it is imperative that learners use every available opportunity to study.