MEC for Education, Cathy Dlamini,
The Mpumalanga Department of Education has rolled out its annual Winter Vacation Classes for Grade 12 learners, a critical initiative aimed at bolstering academic performance and improving the provincial matric pass rate.
The programme officially commenced on Monday, July 7, and is set to conclude on Friday, July 18.
MEC for Education, Cathy Dlamini, highlighted that these targeted classes are designed to support 23,034 learners hailing from schools that achieved below an 80% pass rate in the 2024 National Senior Certificate examination.
“These classes are a vital part of our intervention strategy. They aim to provide targeted academic support, close learning gaps, and help learners prepare for improved performance in their final exams,” said Dlamini.
On the opening day, department officials visited Lekazi Central Secondary School to monitor the seamless commencement of the programme.
MEC Dlamini confirmed that similar visits would be conducted at other centres across the province, ensuring all participating learners receive the necessary support and motivation.
To facilitate optimal learning conditions, the department is providing daily meals and scholar transport to qualifying learners for the duration of the classes. Furthermore, experienced, high-performing teachers with proven track records have been appointed to facilitate the sessions. Their expertise is expected to expose learners to effective teaching strategies and accelerate academic recovery.
“Our goal is clear – to raise the provincial matric pass rate to 90%,” emphasized Dlamini. To achieve this ambitious target, the MEC urged parents, guardians, and the broader school community to actively support and encourage learners to attend the holiday classes consistently, underscoring the collective effort required for academic success.
