“One of the intervention programmes to be intensified is the winter school programme which will commence from July 4 to 15 in 115 centres. The winter school classes are compulsory for all schools that performed below 30%," said Mhaule.

Mhaule said the department aimed at producing a 70% matric pass rate this year. Although Mpumalanga's matric results improved by 8,9% last year, they still produced the lowest matric results in the country in the last two years. In 2010, the matric pass rate was 56,8%. In 2009, it was 47,9%.

"Principals of the schools [that performed below 30%] will be directed to attend the sessions and to keep the register of all participating learners. Teachers with proven record of outstanding performance have been appointed to teach in these winter school classes," said Mhaule.

Mhaule said parents shouldn't worry because scholar transport and nutrition would be provided to pupils who attend the winter school programme.

She said 48 278 full-time pupils and 1 906 part-time candidates had already registered to write the 2011 final exams between November and December.

“We will also intensify the Dial-a-Tutor programme because it is one of the progressive initiatives by the department to assist learners who may struggle to comprehend any subject content while studying at home," she said.

Mhaule said the programme would link pupils with curriculum experts to assist them on the spot.

"This programme is accessible free of charge on both landline and cell phone connections on 0800 203 116 from 6am to 8pm Mondays to Thursdays,” she said.

Mhaule said 15 000 pupils accessed this programme within three months last year, and that those who used it found it to be enriching and were able to excel in their studies.