On the 30 August 2017 principals from Chris Hani West District gathered in Queenstown for the Last Push Campaign.

This campaign is built on a three-year turnaround National Senior Certificate (NSC) strategy which was developed in February 2017. The aim is to improve the quality of pass rate and increase pass rate in 2017 National Senior Certificate (NSC).

According to the Deputy Director – General, Educational Planning,Evaluation and Monitoring (EPEM) Penny Vinjevold it is very important that the 2017 learners know what it takes to pass the NSC. “It is very important that the learners know their strengths and weaknesses so that they are able to work harder on the subjects that they find difficult,” said Vinjevold in her opening statement.

From the 84 000 enrolled Matriculants, a minimum of 52 000 NSC pass is expected and 16 000 should be Bachelor Pass.

“Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) and Schools cannot improve results if they don’t know the number of learners,” explained Vinjevold.  “The Department has all results of all the candidates from term 1 and 2, principals and teachers should use this data to identify those who are borderline candidates and concentrate more on them and not only the progressed leaners,” added Vinjevold. She said the same data would be used to set targets for the number of leaners to pass and achieve Bachelors Pass in 2017,” said Vinjevold.

She further explained that it is very important to involve parents in this campaign in order for it to work.

Grade 12 Learners must be allowed to use their text books and study guides until the day they write that subject. The books should be handed over on the day of the examination, “this gives learners more time to study and get ready for that particular subject.”

“Learners should know what to expect on the day of their examination so that they don’t get surprised in the examination room as this will cause stress and panic when they don’t know what is expected of them, explained the DDG.  “They should by now know their examination time table by heart,” concluded Vinjevold.