Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The North West Department of Education has rolled out its flagship Winter Camps Programme for Grade 12 learners across the province. A total of 124 camps have been established catering to 31 159 learners. The camps are designed to assist learners in revising critical subject content and bridging learning gaps ahead of the final examinations.
These camps operate in two formats; namely residential and walk-in where 112 centres are residential, providing full-day academic support with overnight accommodation, while 12 centres function as walk-in camps, where learners return home after lessons.
To ensure learner safety and wellbeing, schools have proactively engaged nearby clinics and hospitals to provide emergency support services during the camp period.
MEC for Education in the North West Province, Viola Motsumi, has reaffirmed the department’s commitment to improving matric outcomes.
“Winter camps are more than just revision. They are a critical intervention to ensure that no learner is left behind. We do this with the door purpose of closing learning gaps and building confidence before year-end exams. We applaud all our educators and support teams who are working tirelessly during the winter break,” says MEC Motsumi.
Adding to Motsumi’s expression, the recently appointed Superintendent-General of the Department, Lengane Bogatsu, highlighted the importance of intensified learner support initiatives. “As I mentioned in my introductory speech, one of my key focus areas as I assume office is to intensify the department’s learner support mechanisms. Winter camps are a vital tool in improving results. They offer learners the opportunity to engage meaningfully with subject content in a focused environment, away from distractions. This is the kind of academic discipline we want to nurture,” Bogatsu adds.
The camps will run until July 18 and the Department takes this time to encourage parents, communities, and school management teams to continue supporting learners throughout the programme.
