CANDICE SOOBRAMONEY
the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education began its winter class twinning programme on Monday aimed at improving last year’s matric pass rate.
The classes will run until the last day of the National Senior Certificate examinations scheduled for the end of November.
Department spokesman Mbali Thusi said the comprehensive programme would include all districts in the province. Groupings of pupils from different district schools will be tutored in subjects including mathematics, accounting, physical science, geography and English (first additional language) at common venues.
The schools will decide on whether tuition will be after hours or at weekends. And schools that performed below 40% in March are being targeted.
“However, schools that have performed well and are keen on having these twinning programmes are encouraged to attend to share their knowledge with less performing schools,” said Thusi.
She added some schools had already implemented or completed their programmes.
Meanwhile, the deputy principal at Wingen Heights Secondary, Patrick Pillay, who recently received the Best Practices Award for Safety and Security at Educational Institutions, said his school offered tuition after hours and at weekends. He said Wingen Heights, which has attained academic excellence over the years, had also taken the onus to hold tuition during the school holidays.
Pillay, the school’s matric convener, received the above-mentioned award in Gauteng after he presented a study during Education Week on the school’s safety and security plans.