More than 500 Grade 12 learners from these schools have proved what a difference interventions such as this can make. By the end of 2013, all but one of the five schools had shown an overall improvement – not only in their pass rates, but also in the quality of the passes in the form of endorsements (passes with 60% or more) and distinctions (80% or more).
In 2015, additional funding was committed to train Grade 12 teachers in Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Accounting and Geography. The subject-specific teacher programme is intended to help teachers in not only the subject content where possible shortfalls may exist, but also classroom management and discipline. Exxaro supplied mobile, lockable Physical Science kits, as well as the associated training, which will enable teachers to conduct all the experiments required in the Grade 8 to 12 syllabi.
