The registration period for the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Matric Programme will end on February 8, 2023.
The programme is designed for students who have not completed the criteria for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or the Extended Senior Certificate (SC).
Those who desire to enhance their scores may also participate in the programme.
In response to questions about the initiative in the National Council of Provinces last October,
Minister Angie Motshekga announced that at least 400 000 learners had been supported via the scheme to “achieve their subject passes towards their NSC or SC qualification”.
“The programme plays an important role in retaining learners beyond the formal schooling programme. Learners who are disappointed by their failure or poor performance at the end of their schooling career, are able to continue with their studies at their own pace.
“They are able to register for one, two or more subjects, and write the examinations either in May/June or October/November. The face-to-face centres keep learners motivated, as they prepare for their examinations. Learners migrate within provinces, seeking job opportunities and the SCMP allows learners to continue with their studies, irrespective of the province they have relocated to,” she said.
Subjects that learners can register for include:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Science
- Business Studies
- Economics
- English First Additional Language
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Mathematic Literacy
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
“The programme offers face-to-face support, online support and a wide range of learning support materials. The programme facilitates the development of learning and teaching support materials (LTSMs) that is based on diagnostic reports, so as to ensure that the support materials focus on common areas of poor performance emanating from previous examinations.
“The LTSMs are government-owned, printed and distributed to learners at no cost to the learner,” Motshekga said.
To register for the programme, visit www.eservices.gov.za or go to any Department of Basic Education office with an ID document and a statement of results.
Those who are older and/or have not had the chance to finish matric owing to a variety of circumstances, as well as those who do not qualify for higher education, may enrol in Community Education and Training (CET) institutions around the nation.
According to the website of the Department of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, the colleges are supported by over 200 community learning centres.
“These colleges…target post-school youth and adults who wish to raise the base for further learning, improve their skills for employability and/or progression to opportunities in the TVET colleges and university education.
“In essence, community education and training…offer(s) programmes that contribute to improving community cohesion and social capital, and responsive to the geographic and sectoral needs and challenges,” the department said.
The colleges provide training and academic learning opportunities, such as the General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETC), computer literacy courses, and applied agricultural courses.
Minister Blade Nzimande said in his budget address last year that at least R200 million has been allocated to fund CET colleges, which are crucial to reducing South Africa’s skills gap.
“In addition to academic skills and occupational programmes already on offer, CET colleges will offer two new accredited programmes which are Entrepreneurship and Digital Skills programmes.
“Nine Hundred CET college lecturers will be trained in accredited training programmes. We will also accredit 35 pilot community learning centres, which will be an addition to the 15 community learning centres accredited in 2021/22,” he said.
More information about CETs is available on the department’s website.
»Second Chance Matric Program registration closes 8 February 2023«