There are fewer than 70 days left before grade 12 learners write their final examinations. But there’s no need to panic — help is at hand.
Last year grade 12 learners wrote the first national senior certificate (NSC) examinations based on the new national curriculum statement (NCS). The education department undertook several support initiatives to help the 590 000 grade 12 learners to prepare for the NSC.
This year there will be increased support for grade 12 learners and their teachers. With so few days left, learners and teachers are encouraged to make use of this support.
The following print and electronic learning material is available to support grade 12 learners in 2009.
Study Mate and Studiepêl
The department of education developed two editions of Study Mate. The first 16-page tabloid edition was published in March 2009. It was distributed to district offices at the beginning of the second term. It comprises the “Know the Expert” series. It helps grade 12 learners to start planning for the 2009 NSC examinations and includes the examination timetable and tips for successful planning.
Independent Newspapers — Study Mate — Past Papers
The education department and Independent Newspapers produced an edition of Study Mate, consisting of the examinations from November 2008 and supplementary NSC examination papers with memoranda. The edition was available in June 2009 directly from Independent Newspapers.
DVDs were developed to provide tuition in all high-enrolment subjects. In the DVD teachers and department of education curriculum specialists help learners with examination papers, explain common mistakes and give useful tips. These are available as a package with Study Mate (past papers).
Sunday Times — Exemplar Question Papers
Avusa Media will publish a 48-page tabloid comprising exemplar examination papers for grade 12 learners on September 20. The published examination papers will be selected by the education department’s subject specialists.
Maths 911 (Liberty Life)/ Matric Matters and DStv (Mindset)
Liberty Life and Independent Newspapers developed Maths 911 for grades 11 and 12. The content is new and was approved by subject advisers at the department of education — 125 000 copies were given to Dinaledi schools at the end of May. The content of the books were uploaded on to the Thutong and department of education websites. Provincial education departments received copies of the book on CD.
Matric Matters, a supplement which appears weekly in the Independent Newspapers, was linked to the Maths 911 books. Additional support was provided on DStv on the Mindset programmes.
Matric Matters also produced two 48-page supplements of maths and science exemplar papers in the second and third terms.
SABC Education
From June 1 the department of education, with the SABC, launched a revision programme for grade 11 and 12 learners in mathematics, mathematics literacy, physical science, English (first additional language), accounting, life orientation and life sciences. Programmes are on SABC 1, Monday to Friday, from 2pm to 3pm.
Additional lesson support is provided on the Thutong and department of education websites.
Thutong website
Subject advisers at the department of education continue to maintain learning spaces for various subjects on the Thutong website.
Check the Thutong website for a special section created to support grade 12 learners. It includes messages from the minister, advocacy, current news, a countdown to the examinations, exemplar examination papers and tips on how to prepare for the examinations, as well as the examination timetable.
The department, in collaboration with the provincial education departments, provides training for teachers on content for grades 10 to 12. It also monitors schools and provinces to ensure appropriate and targeted support is provided.
If you have any queries please contact your district office or Zarene Govender on [email protected]