Matrics start winter camps
WHILE most pupils across the country will be enjoying the start of the mid-year school vacation, hundreds of Grade 12s from the Northern Cape will start their winter school camps this morning, as they prepare for the rapidly approaching 2017 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
This morning the MEC for Education, Martha Bartlett, accompanied by 7de Laan actor Theodore Jantjies, will visit winter school camps across the Province to encourage and motivate Grade 12 pupils.
“In our continued attempts to respond to the goals of Action Plan 2019: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030 and an improved National Senior Certificate pass rate in 2017, the Northern Cape Department of Education will be hosting Winter Residential Camps as well as Walk-in School-Based Winter Schools for identified Grade 12 pupils in all districts in the Province from today until Friday,” said department spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe.
“Educators who teach the various subjects at the winter schools are recruited through a rigorous scrutinising process,” he added.
“All the educators are Grade 12 teachers in their specific subject and have been involved in the various provincial examination processes either as markers or examiners. Because of their experience, they are able to prepare pupils for their final examination and focus on problem areas.”
Van der Merwe explained that a wide variety of subjects are on offer to the matric pupils, but subjects were only offered if requested by 15 or more pupils.
“The subjects that are offered at our winter schools are English First Additional Language, Afrikaans Home Language, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Agricultural Science, Life Sciences, Physical Science, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, History and Geography,” he said.
“At the end of the week, a special session is held in which the students receive information on career guidance and post-matric studies. For this session, career counsellors from the Education Department and professionals from various tertiary institutions will be invited to address the pupils.
“The purpose of these sessions is to render additional support to Grade 12 pupils in the form of revision and consolidation of subject content. In addition, pupils will write a pre- and post-test based on the content which will be covered during the session.”
While matric pupils who are participating in the camps were required to register yesterday afternoon, pupils who have been identified to attend the Walk-in School-Based Winter Schools will report at their school at 7.45am this morning.