Pretoria - As the final year end exams draw closer, the KwaZulu-Natal Education department has established Provincial Exam Crack Teams (PECT) to identify subject related and other problems at all under-performing schools.
The teams, which were established during a two-day assessment session on Monday, will thereafter prescribe short term solutions based on school specific analyses.
The assessment session brought together top education officials, who took stock on progress already made on the syllabi on various subjects, problems experienced and the current state of teaching and learning in schools.
Education spokesperson Muntu Lukhozi said the PECT will consist of head office subject specialists from the Curriculum and Quality Assurance Directorates.
"The PECT will co-opt relevant district officials to form part of the teams when work is being carried out in their respective areas as districts will be expected to monitor and do follow ups," Lukhozi said.
She also explained that the districts will be expected to work closely with the teams to ensure focused and coordinated interventions, including intensification of extra classes and ensure that curriculum coverage is completed by the end of August at the latest.
Other interventions include the clustering of targeted schools for revision, involving local subject experts and using DVDs where necessary.
Set pieces in selected subjects will be developed and distributed to targeted schools and past exam papers will also be distributed to targeted schools before the preparatory exams to be written in September.
The department has urged teachers and learners to tune into SABC's radio programmes aimed at assisting matric learners. The programmes are currently being broadcasted daily on different public radio stations.
"We wish to thank all those committed in the delivery of quality education in our schools, particularly, teacher unions for the important role they have played and for endorsing our concrete plan of action as we move forward," Lukhozi said.
