Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

8 October, 2015

Over 17 000 NSC candidates attend WCED 'Spring Schools'.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

With only 10 days to go to the National Senior Certificate Exams (NSC) 2015, this is a crucial time for our Grade 12 learners.

Providing curriculum support to our Grade 12 learners is a priority for this Government, particularly in schools where learners are struggling in specific subjects.

In order to assist our learners in preparation for the National Senior Certificate (NSC), the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has initiated a number of targeted and sustained interventions at schools across the province, including a Spring School for Grade 12 learners.

The class of 2015 has been working hard this year to ensure an improved result in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. Many schools and educators across the province have been offering extra lessons in the evening and over weekends to improve individual learner results.

During these school holidays, the WCED has organised holiday study programmes at 134 of our high schools, with over 17 000 NSC Candidates attending the 'Spring Schools'.

The Grade 12 Spring Schools Programme aims to assist learners in high enrolment subjects. These subjects include Mathematics, Physical Science, Geography, Life Sciences, Accounting and Economics. Many of the programmes on offer will be taught by tutors selected by the WCED.

In some schools, curriculum advisors will be supporting and assisting individual school programmes. Additional resource materials have been developed to complement the lessons being presented.

Today, I visited the Grade 12 Spring School Programme at Elsies River Secondary School.

The 'spring school' programme at the school will run from Monday 5^th October - Friday 9^th October 2015 and extra lessons will include Accounting, Economics, History, Geography Afrikaans, Mathematics, Maths Literacy and Physical Science.

Mr Brydon, the School Principal says that he is proud of his grade 12's and admires their dedication and commitment to ensuring that they succeed in the NSC.

The Grade 12's have attended extra classes after school and on Saturday's from the start of the 2015 school year.

Elsies River Secondary School currently has 276 candidates writing the NSC this year.

I am heartened to witness the determination of the Grade 12's of Elsies River Secondary School to succeed.

To all Grade 12's across our Province, I have every confidence that you will make yourselves and the Western Cape proud.

Good Luck for the final leg.

I was also informed this morning that the Centre Manager at Spes Bona High School in Metro Central collapsed yesterday and sadly passed away. My heartfelt condolences go to the Voges family and the broader school community.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663