Matric candidates at 34 schools that achieved matric pass rates of less than 60% last year will write common trial exams in September.

This measure forms part of the Western Cape Education Department’s Learner Attainment Strategy (LAS), which we completed in March 2006. The candidates also wrote common June exams as part of this strategy.

The WCED introduced a Learning Schools Programme (LSP) in 1999 to support learners at schools that achieved pass rates of less than 60% in the Senior Certificate exams.

While the LSP has achieved success, by helping to reduce the number of schools in this category, some schools have continued to remain in this category, while others find it difficult to sustain success.

The new Learner Achievement Strategy (LAS) has built on the success of the LSP, while broadening its scope to include a wider variety of factors necessary for success.

The LAS also forms part of broader national and provincial strategies, namely the National Strategy for Learner Attainment (NSLA) and the Human Capital Development Strategy for the Western Cape.

The LAS also complements other strategies, such as the WCED’s Literacy and Numeracy Strategy for General Education and Training, which cover Grades R to 9. The LAS focuses on Further Education and Training in schools, from Grades 10 to 12.

The strategy provides a framework for intervention on all levels, by coordinating school and district development plans, and interventions from other levels.

The strategy is based on three pillars, namely:

• School development
• Teacher development, and
• Learner achievement.

Issues that are receiving attention range from school leadership and management to teacher achievement, school culture, discipline, motivation, governance, parental involvement, curriculum, time-on-task and socio-economic contexts.

The strategy is based on close analysis of data on learner and school performance. Integrated District Support Teams will work closely with schools to ensure success.