Matric tutors on call

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Pretoria - With 24 days left before the start of 2011 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, the Mpumalanga Education Department is encouraging learners to take advantage of the dial-a-tutor programme should they experience challenges in their studies.

The programme, which started on 1 June 2011, is one of the progressive initiatives by the department to assist learners who may struggle to understand any subject content while studying at home by linking them with curriculum experts to assist them on the spot.

Learners, teachers and parents can access the Dial a Tutor Programme by calling the departmental toll free line, 0800 203 116, from 6pm to 8pm Mondays to Thursdays, where they will be linked with a curriculum specialist who will advise them.

This year, 49 419 full time candidates in the province will sit for the NSC examination.

Department spokesperson Gerald Sambo said all candidates' particulars have been verified by schools and the necessary corrections have been made.

"Principals and district officials were directly involved in the verification process. We are confident that candidates' information on the examination data system is credible," said Sambo.

He encouraged learners to form study groups to support each other with subject content and have sufficient rest the night before they write their exams.

The department also urged parents to provide their children with the necessary support and encourage them to apply their minds and energy during the examination period. 

In collaboration with various church denominations, the department will on 15 October 2011 convene a prayer meeting to pray for the learners.

In the Western Cape, an optimistic Education MEC Donald Grant said he was pleased with the progress being made in preparing for the exams, adding that the province was ready. 

"Officials have worked hard to ensure that all the logistical requirements are being met. While the Western Cape Class of 2011 has a lot to live up to, I am confident that they will do us proud... My message to them now is - use the remaining weeks wisely," an upbeat Grant said.

Over 41 000 full-time and 9 000 part-time candidates in the province will be writing the NSC examinations at 417 centres around the province. 

Grant said 2 100 invigilators have been appointed, with 3 200 markers expected to mark approximately 800 000 examination scripts. - BuaNews