MEC Creecy visits Randfontein learners, wishes them well for prelims

MEC Ms Barbara Creecy encouraged learners to persevere in their studies as they prepare for the preliminary and final grade 12 examinations. She visited Randfontein High School, a site for the Secondary School Improvement Plan (SSIP), this past Saturday to motivate them to do well.

The site accomodates 808 learners from rural and Randfontein schools (Toekomsrus and Mohlakeng townships) with an average learner attendance of between 70% and 84%. There are nine buses that transport learners who are staying far, and learners come from following schools Magalies State, Ithuteng Secondary, AB Phokompe, Phahama Secondary, Thuto Lehakwe, and Randfontein Sekondêr.

There are 61 tutors at the site teaching 10 subjects. Learners encouraged others to attend the extra classes as they were of benefit.

MEC Creecy explained that preliminary exams gave learners an opportunity to experience first hand questions they were likely to face in the forthcoming matric exams. Prelims also contribute to the school based assessment mark which makes up 25% of the matric mark.

She thanked learners for sacrificing their Saturdays and school holidays since February to attend classes. She encouraged them to study harder as the final grade 12 examinations will start in 6 weeks.

All SSIP sites are focusing on final revision and exam technique. Learners should establish themselves into study groups and take advantage of the study camps
ahead of the finals.

While the province does not have a specific target pass rate for this year, we would like to see a consolidation of results at these levels so that we eliminate the trend of results going up in one year, and tumbling the following year. The pass rate in the 2010 examinations was 78.6% and the target is 80% by 2014.

During the exams, we encourage learners to have sufficient rest the night before, have all the necessary materials (calculator, pens and pencils, erasers, etc), read the entire paper, read instructions, and plan their time carefully. We also encourage learners to verify their exam registration details. Learners with incorrect registration details will not be allowed to write. The timetable for preliminary exams can be accessed on www.education.gpg.gov.za.

To families we say please be supportive during this time: make sure your son or daughter has a quiet corner for study, relief from household chores and your constant love and care. Remind them that while you expect them to do their best you will still support them even if they do not do as well as they hoped they would do. They still have time to improve their results in the final matric exam.

For more information contact:
Charles Phahlane
Tell: 011 355 1530
Cell:071 860 4496.