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MATRICS READY

CONFIDENT: Limpopo MEC for education Namane Masemola briefing the media on the province's preparations for this year's matric examination. Pic: ELIJAR MUSHIANA. 21/09/2009. © Sowetan.
CONFIDENT: Limpopo MEC for education Namane Masemola briefing the media on the province's preparations for this year's matric examination. Pic: ELIJAR MUSHIANA. 21/09/2009. © Sowetan.

AFTER three consecutive years of dismal matric results Limpopo can now expect a much improved performance.

This is the prediction of the province's MEC for education Namane Masemola who was addressing a media briefing at the department's headquarters in Polokwane yesterday.

This will be the second time that Grade 12 students write the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination curriculum.

This year's examination will commence on October 26.

Masemola said 101658 pupils from the Capricorn, Mopani, Vhembe, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts would write this year's examination.

The province recorded a pass rate of 57,7percent in 2006 and improved the following year to 58percent. Last year the provinceexperienced a disappointing 54,3percent pass rate.

The authorities have blamed the low pass rates on protest marches by teachers, lack of infrastructure and teaching aids.

Masemola said the province was ready to produce excellent results that would enable matriculants to attend institutions of higher learning next year.

He said it was "all systems go" as preparations for this year's examination have gone according to plan.

He cited enrichment programmes that were put in place by members of the community and the department of education as one of the reasons for his optimism.

Winter schools had been held in 407 centres of the province, which saw more than 80000 pupils taking part, he said.

Masemola said the centres had concentrated on mathematics, physical science, mathematics literacy, agricultural science, business studies, English 1st language, life science, accounting and homeeconomics.

Some schools had also introduced morning, afternoon and weekend classes, which has played a crucial role in preparing students for the examination.

"The department had also visited all the districts to provide strategies to improve teacher and learner performance.

"Training for curriculum advisers to increase their content knowledge in all NSC subjects was also offered," Masemola said.

"The training was cascaded to heads of departments to empower them to assess and monitor the correct teaching of the new curriculum."

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