Nelspruit - Mpumalanga's Department of Education has urged all schools in the province to introduce a compulsory study period for matriculants to prevent a repeat of last year's poor results.
Tabling the department's R11.5-billion budget in Nelspruit on Friday, MEC Regina Mohaule admitted that Grade 12 results remained a challenge in the province.
"In 2009 we performed below the national average and also worse than all the other provinces. Therefore we have asked all schools in the province to introduce a compulsory one-hour study period at least two days a week, and to have extra classes early in the morning, in the afternoon and on Saturdays," said Mohaule.
Mpumalanga's matric pass rate dropped to 47.9 percent last year, down from 51.8 percnet in 2008.
Mohaule said the matric intervention programme was supported by the province's executive council, which comprises all MECs and heads of departments.
"Preparations are also under way to hold winter schools across the province and a three-week residential study camp for 4 000 learners during the winter school holidays. Expert teachers from schools that performed well last year have been identified to teach at these holiday classes."
According to Mohaule, the department will also introduce a dial-in tutoring programme for matriculants that will operate from 8am to 4pm from Mondays to Fridays during the FIFA World Cup period.
"Our focus will be on the 66 schools that obtained pass rates of below 20 percent, with emphasis on the Bushbuckridge region. But we will continue to support performing schools to maintain and improve the quality of their results," she added.
Mohaule said the department would strengthen its security to ensure exam papers were not leaked, as they did last year.
The examination question paper leakage of 2009 and related irregularities led to the national Minister of Basic Education taking over the function of examination administration in the province.
"We intend working very hard to improve our systems and structures to ensure that we can resume this function sooner rather than later. We are engaging our partners in the labour formations to re-establish the examination unit. Once this is done, a process to recruit, vet and train personnel and strengthen security measures will commence," the MEC said.
