‘Buddy system’ plan for battling matrics
The Cape Education Department has developed plans, including “buddy systems”, to support under-performing schools.
|||Cape Town - As about 56 000 matrics prepare to write their final school exams in just over two weeks’ time, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has developed plans, including “buddy systems”, to support under-performing schools.
These are schools which achieved less than 60 percent in the National Senior Certificate (NCS) last year.
The number of under-performing schools in the province is at a four-year low, with 31 schools obtaining a matric pass rate of less than 60 percent. While the number of under-performing schools had consistently declined - from 85 in 2009 to 76 in 2010, 30 in 2011, 26 in 2012 and 23 in 2013 - at the end of 2014, 31 schools were classified as under-performing.
The plans include lesson observation in specific subjects, the issuing of past papers, district camps and holiday programmes and the use of “buddy systems” for revision support groups.
Jessica Shelver, Education MEC Debbie Schäfer’s spokes-person, said the department was also conducting parent workshops to provide them with tools to create conducive home environments.
“While it is pleasing that the WCED reached its target of decreasing the number of under-performing schools in 2014 by over 50 percent, from 23 to 10 schools, we are disappointed that 21 new schools dropped into this category.
“For this reason, the department is providing the same support to schools that achieved matric pass rates of less than 70 percent, to limit the number that drop back into the under-performing category,” Shelver said.
Chairperson of the Progressive Principals Association, Riyaadh Najaar, said he did not agree with the criteria applied when it came to classifying schools as “under-performing”.
“The resources need to be taken into account, as well as how many pupils come from poor homes. Poorer schools might not have the resources they need to excel,” said Najaar, who is also the principal of Spine Road High School in Mitchells Plain, which achieved a 100 percent matric pass rate last year.
But it was still not too late for those struggling pupils to pass their final school exam. With enough passion and dedication, pupils could beat the odds, Najaar said.
francesca.villette@inl.co.za
@FrancescaJaneV
Cape Times