Mbombela - The Mpumalanga Education Department will next month run winter school classes for schools that produced less than 50% last year.
The winter classes will be held at 53 centres across the province in order to improve the matric pass rate by 10% from 64% in 2011.
"In total, there will be 53 centres targeting all secondary schools which performed below 50% in the 2011 Grade 12 results," said Department MEC Reginah Mhaule on Monday.
Mhaule, who was speaking during a media briefing in Mbombela, said the department would spend R4.2 million on the July classes.
Teachers from around the province will conduct winter schools for 10 days between July 2 and 13.
Altogether 15 centres will be situated in the Lowveld's Ehlanzeni district while 11 will be in the Highveld in the Gert Sibande district and six in Nkangala district.
The majority of centres will be in the Bohlabela district, where altogether 21 centres will be based in and around Bushbuckridge.
"We have seen the poorest results from schools around Bushbuckridge. That is why we feel schools in this district need the most help to improve their results," said Mhaule.
The MEC said 11 subjects would be taught at the winter schools. The subjects include Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Science, Life Science, Economics, Accounting, Business Studies, History, Geography, Agricultural Science and English First Language.
"Each learner will be expected to attend a maximum of three subjects per day. Nutrition will be provided to all centres and learners who depend on scholar transport will be catered for," said Mhaule.
She said attendance would be compulsory to all pupils who come from schools that performed below 50%.
"Principles will be taking an attendance register of (pupils) attending the winter schools ... public representatives and officials will be deployed to monitor and to support teachers and learners during this period."
Mhaule said the department, its teachers and teacher unions were all supporting the efforts to improve the province's matric results.
She said best performing teachers would be part of the programme. "Teachers with proven records of outstanding performance have already been appointed to participate in this programme and will be paid," she said.
The MEC further encouraged schools that performed well last year to hold their own winter schools during these coming holidays.
"The department will support these schools too and ensure they too can improve and uphold their good standard," Mhaule said.
