Following unsatisfactory performance in maths and science in last year’s matric exams, the Gauteng Education Department (GDE) is placing emphasis on the subjects in this year’s supplementary exams.
Speaking to GDE Spokesperson, Charles Phahlane said, “The department felt that the majority of 2009 learners lacked in maths and science and hence introduction of this project. Following the drop in matric results the department had to come up with an emergency project to assist the battling learners.”
The Department of Education has organised preparatory classes for supplementary exams in maths and science for learners who failed their matric last year.
The scheduled preparatory classes for maths and science last weekend and will be running over four weeks ending before learners write maths paper one on 26 February.
Phahlane said the department had decided that the learners should supplement not more than two subjects because they stood a better chance of passing (that is, getting a diploma pass) and if they did more it would be a toll order.
“For learners who have failed more than two subjects there are options; either the learner goes back to their previous schools and repeat, register with the Department Of Education for re-exam (registration is around March) and learners will write in November with the current matriculants or register with the Further Education and Training (FET) colleges to learn a particular trade,” he said.
He, however, said those learners who wanted to go back to their previous school might face a challenge because spaces were limited and that the school had to determine whether the learners deserved to be taken back or not.
He also said that a number of 27 000 learners had registered to write their supplementary exams in which 3 500 would be writing maths and 8 000 would sit for science.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
10 February 2010
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautengonline.gov.za/)
