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ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 11 • 21 - 27 May 2010

NELSPRUIT

The Mpumalanga Department of Education says it is ready to implement its Grade 12 intervention programme intended to enhance learner performance and prevent last year’s matric results fiasco.

Mpumalanga’s Grade 12 pass rate dropped to 47.9% last year, down from 51.8% in 2008, and marked the worst performance by any of the country’s nine provinces.

Department of Education spokesperson Jasper Zwane said the intervention plan focused on three priority areas, namely the mentoring of principals of underperforming schools, direct learner support and the resourcing of schools.

“We are going to mentor the principals of the 66 schools that had pass rates of less than 20% last year. Each principal will be allocated a mentor, which is intended to help them manage their schools effectively to produce better results in 2010.”

He said the mentors would come from the department’s senior management team, retired principals, principals from well-performing schools and “other professionals”.

“The mentors have not been identified yet, but we are using this opportunity to ask them to volunteer their services in providing coaching sessions to these principals on a regular basis. The closing date for applications is June 10 for interested parties,” said Zwane.

He added that a stipend would be provided to the mentors, depending on their agreement with the department.

Zwane also said schools should provide extra tuition to pupils during school holidays, weekends and after school hours.

“For the schools with pass rates of less than 30% last year, it will be compulsory to provide extra tuition. We have already had meetings with the principals of the underperforming schools and we made it clear to them that steps will be taken against them if they fail to provide the extra tuition during the holidays. All the underperforming schools will be monitored,” he said, adding that their pupils would also be expected to attend mandatory winter classes.

“These winter classes will run from June 21 to July 9 in 115 centres. Only teachers who performed at 70% and above in their respective subjects will be considered for teaching in the winter school classes. They will be paid a stipend agreed upon between them and the department.”

Zwane said the department had already identified specialists who were willing to volunteer their services for the dial-a-tutor programme, which is aimed at supporting pupils with their studies and will be operational during the holidays.

“Learners can dial the toll-free number, 0800 203 116, between 8am and 8pm to contact selected subject specialists who will be able to give them support there and then. We will also provide electronic media support (DVD) materials. These can be a useful resource during the extra tuition or exam preperation time.”

Zwane said the department was also planning to acquire mobile laboratories which would be provided to schools without these facilities to enable pupils to conduct practical work in relevant subjects.