The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) launched its #BackOnTrack programme, which is a big, bold intervention to reverse Covid-19 learning losses in the Western Cape.
Earlier this year, the WCED released its 2022 systemic test results for Mathematics and Reading, which confirmed that during the pandemic, learning outcomes fell off a cliff.
David Maynier, Western Cape Minister of Education said the department simply cannot say a child is receiving quality education if more than half of our Grade 3, 6 and 9 learners cannot achieve the basic pass score for mathematics and reading.
He said: “We expect the results of the Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study 2021, due to be released next week, to show learners across our country are facing the same challenge.
“We have to act, and act decisively, and in a way that has impact to deal with what is a full-blown learning crisis.”
This is why they are investing a massive R1,2 billion into our #BackOnTrack programme over the next three years, to improve learning outcomes so that our children have a better future in the Western Cape.
The programme marks a big change from “business as usual” in our schools.
The scale of the programme is unprecedented: 333 schools have been selected to receive targeted support based on the systemic test results, in addition to the 1 100 schools already receiving extra support in the Foundation Phase since 2022.
The new schools selected will identify 126 000 learners, 8 980 teachers and 28 000 parents targeted for focussed participation, in addition to the 310 000 learners and 10 000 teachers already participating in the Foundation Phase.
All school phases are covered, with all grades in the Foundation Phase, and Grade 4 in the Intermediate Phase, Grades 7 and 8 in the Senior Phase, and Grades 10 and 12 in the Further Education and Training Phase, targeted.
All stakeholders in learning are being supported simultaneously, recognising that all can make a contribution towards improving learning outcomes.
“We’re using a variety of teaching, learning and support methods, both in person and online,” Maynier said. “For example, we will be taking some of our Grade 4, 7 and 8 teachers out of class every ten days, for targeted support. And our Grade 12s will participate in biweekly online afternoon sessions with expert presenters in a wide range of subjects.”
He added the department would apply tried and tested methods in grades where they have not previously been used.
The #BackOnTrack programme complements and builds on existing programmes. “We are entrenching previously successful interventions that have been shown to work, including proven eLearning platforms such as the Maths Curriculum Online programme in the Foundation Phase, while introducing new ways of teaching and learning.”
The programme is designed to incorporate feedback and change over three years. Principals and teachers of the participating schools have been invited to let the WCED know what works, what needs more work and how the best possible interventions can be built.
Maynier said much work had gone into getting this massive programme off the ground. In all, 333 principals had already been briefed, and 2 554 teachers had already attended briefing and training sessions. The WCED invited all residents of the Western Cape to support it on this journey “and make the choice to invest in our children’s futures. Let us all work together to get our children #BackOnTrack!”
