#BackOnTrack programme to provide extra academic support to 23 450 learners this year
Statement by Minister David Maynier, Minister of Education Western Cape
Our #BackOnTrack extra Saturday classes for the 2025 school year kicked off on Saturday, 15 February 2025. I visited Thembani Primary School in Langa to see the programme in action and welcome learners to their extra classes.
It was wonderful to see that, despite it being the weekend, learners were excited to be attending the extra classes, and said that they felt that the programme was helping them to reach for their dreams. It was also encouraging to see how the tutors are connecting with learners and developing our learners’ understanding of the academic content.
In total, 15 450 Grade 4 and 7 learners from 223 primary schools will attend Saturday classes this year. These classes will focus on Mathematics and Languages, taught by our expert tutors throughout the year.
A strong foundation in Mathematics and Language is essential in the primary school grades, as the essential building blocks for success in their high school career.
When learners fall behind in the earlier grades, it impacts their later grades and can ultimately compromise their post-school education and careers. This is why the Western Cape Government has developed the #BackOnTrack programme, to ensure that we reverse learning losses and give our children a better future in our province.
In addition to these grades, 8 000 Grade 12 learners will receive academic support as they prepare for their matric exams this year. This will include Saturday classes and revision camps during the Autumn, Winter and Spring school holidays.
Our teachers will also receive professional development support through the #BackOnTrack programme this year.
In-person training, in the form of weekly sessions or holiday training, will be provided to 2 483 Grade 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 teachers, with a primary focus on Mathematics and Languages.
In addition, online training will be available and open to all teachers for Grade 8 Languages and a variety of Grade 10 and 12 subjects. 540 teachers attended the first Grade 10 session across five subjects this year.
A recent report by a team of researchers from the Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP) group at Stellenbosch University found that the #BackOnTrack programme demonstrated significant success in mitigating learning losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report went on to say:
“The massive effect sizes encountered in this investigation were a surprise as some were much larger than the effect sizes typically encountered in education interventions.”
We are seeing the improvement reflected in our 2024 annual systemic test results, with selected grades and subjects surpassing 2019 scores for the first time!
We thank the teachers, learners and tutors who have participated in the programme so far, and for the continued commitment of our schools to improving learning outcomes in the Western Cape!
Information on our systemic test results for 2024:
Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP) report on #BackOnTrack programme’s effectiveness:
Media Enquiries:
Kerry Mauchline
Spokesperson to Minister David Maynier
Western Cape Ministry of Education
Kerry.Mauchline@westerncape.gov.za