THE University of Pretoria launched a satellite-based pilot programme on Tuesday which will link two schools via satellite to lecturers in Pretoria in the rural Northern Province. The pilot project, which has targeted 200 pupils at the Nape A Ngaato and Mkoni A Mabule high schools, hopes to boost existing matric pass-rates of roughly 20% to well over 60% within one year. The satellite reply system will allow highly regarded lecturers in subjects such as maths, science and other technical subjects to speak directly to pupils via interactive television broadcasts.