Donald Grant, Western Cape minister for education.
The Western Cape’s Education Department launched its telematics pilot project in 2009 with 10 schools and has partnered with the Division of Telematic Services at Stellenbosch University to deliver the programme.
Since that first pilot a total of 146 schools now receive the broadcasts which initially targeted secondary schools. The latest pilot will target 10 primary schools, while the Northern Cape is also adopting the scheme.
Subjects including mathematics, science and languages are taught via broadcasts and learners are able to interact with the presenter in the studio by using the internet of a cellphone.
Donald Grant, Western Cape minister for education, said: “I am excited that in 2014 we will be piloting this service in our primary schools. Ten primary schools will be selected to pilot lessons that aim to improve language and maths performance of Grade 6 learners.
“So far, the evidence shows that the telematics programme has supported other strategies to help improve performance levels in Grade 12.”
An analysis of pupil performance for those taking part in the programme showed the average National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate increased from 60.37 per cent in 2010 to 72.49 per cent in 2012.
The number of candidates at the Telematics schools passing their matriculation with access to further Bachelor degree studies, increasing from 2,499 to 3,506.