Lifeline for Qumbu matrics
LOW literacy levels, lack of numeracy skills and a shortage of specialist teachers have been identified as some of the reasons behind the high matric failure rate in schools based in the Qumbu district.
It was identified as one of the worst-performing districts in the province according to the 2013 matric results, with a pass rate of just 49.1%.
This prompted Qumbuborn Yolisa Ludidi from Mvelase Training Consultants to try and assist pupils. She roped in the provincial Education Department, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation.
The stakeholders will this year embark on a five-year matric results improvement project involving four schools in the area.
The programme will feature winter classes which are to be held at WSU.
Specialist teachers in maths and science, are also in the process of being recruited.
Ludidi said low literacy and numeracy levels were identified as the root causes of the problem, which were revealed in a study conducted by WSU professors Dr Nonceba Mabovula.
“We didn’t just focus on the high schools, we also visited the primary schools which are the feeder schools to these high schools,” Ludidi tailor-made to target specifically the problems that have been identified in the study. These include maths, science, English, accounting and geography.”
The schools involved include Jongilizwe, Sandi Majeke, Tolweni and Welsh senior secondary schools.
Sizwe Kupelo said the 98 pupils would also receive computer tablets.
“We will introduce a system where we upload past exam papers on the tablets so they can do additional revision from there,” Kupelo said.
Jongilizwe Senior Secondary School principal Nolitha Nohaji said that with her school only having achieved a matric pass rate of 15% last year, she had been keen to get on board.
“The reason for our failure was because of a pupil protest last year which resulted in many of the pupils not writing their June exams. But this year I’m hoping for better because of interventions.”
Grade 12 pupil Abulele Qhakaza said: “I’m hopeful that the classes will give us an advantage in the coming exams because I want to go to university next year and study towards becoming a business administrator.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za