Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

3 October, 2017

2017 NSC: Thousands of matrics attend WCED spring schools.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Roman philosopher Seneca once said, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" and with only 19 days to go to the National Senior Certificate Examinations (NSC) 2017, this is a crucial time for our Grade 12 learners where preparation is the key to success.

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 2017 has been working hard since the start of the academic year to ensure an improved result in the 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 for learners from 160 of our high schools, with over 10 000 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.

This morning, I visited a 'spring school' programme at the Fezeka Secondary School where 157 NSC matrics are attending additional lessons Physics, Economics, History, Geography, Mathematics, Maths Literacy and Life Science. The programme at the school is running from 2^nd October 2017 to 5^th October 2017.

I was very pleased to see the number of learners who are taking advantage of the opportunities that we are providing for them to improve their marks. All learners in the class indicated that they wish to further their studies.

New School Principal, Mr Hockey who started at the school in January 2017 has boundless energy and says that he is proud of the learners at Fezeka Secondary School who have put in the extra hours over weekends and school holidays to ensure that they pass the NSC. Mr Hockey indicated that his matrics are ready to write the NSC.

The School Circuit Manager, Ms Minnaar says that the District implemented additional support programmes for Grade 10's and 11's in 2015 and thus saw an improved result in the 2016 NSC. Learners also attended Autumn, Winter and Spring schools during the school holidays as well as additional tutoring over weekends in Maths and Physics.

In 2015, the school achieved a pass rate of 62.1% (140 learners) and in 2016, the school achieved a pass rate of 69.3% (127 learners).

The school hopes to achieve a pass rate of 75% this year.

So far, preparations for the upcoming NSC are running smoothly.

This year 51 987 full time candidates and 13 912 part-time candidates have registered for the 2017 NSC in the Western Cape. They will write at 462 centres across the Western Cape.

To all Grade 12's across our Province, Thomas Edison said that 'Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up'. I urge you to remain focused as you enter the final leg of your school career. I know it has been a busy and a stressful year, but you are almost there.

I wish all our candidates the very best of luck in their final preparations. Make us proud.

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