THE Northern Areas People Development Initiative (NAPDI) has launched a programme aimed at tutoring people who for various reasons didn’t complete their studies towards a Matric Certificate.

The programme is open to adults who are over 21 years of age and have already passed some subjects but need a few more to get matric, or anybody that was not yet in matric but had at least passed Grade 9 or Standard 7.

The programme is aimed at people who enrolled for NATED 550 as well as unsuccessful candidates who sat for the NSC Examinations after 2008.

The Department of Education first started the NATED 550 Programme in 2007. The programme is primarily aimed at adults who sat for the matric programme commonly referred to as NATED 550 before 2008. The last full-time NATED 550 matric examination took place in November 2007. Learners have written the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) Examination since 2008. The Department subsequently adjusted the entry requirements to enable those who passed Grade 9 or Standard 7 or the ABET equivalent of Level 4 to enrol for the Examination [i.e. NATED 550].

Although the NATED 550 Examinations were initially going to run until April 2011, it was decided to extend them until April 2014.

Mr Myron Leonard, Head of Curriculum in the Port Elizabeth District, said it was unlikely that the opportunity would be extended beyond 2014. “I therefore urge all those that must still complete a few subjects, as well as those that at least passed Grade 9, and are older than 21 years, to grab this opportunity with both hands”.

He said they found that many learners just turned up for the examinations without any tutoring or preparation, resulting in a disappointingly high failure rate.

According to him, learners would now be tutored by experienced educators and would be far better prepared for the examinations. Matriculants that sat for the NSC Examinations since 2008, but failed some subjects, would also now have the opportunity to be tutored in preparation for their examination in November this year. This programme is also open to those that passed their NSC Matric Examination but wish to improve their marks so they qualify for tertiary studies.

The Chairman of NAPDI, Isaac Metembo, indicated that students would be charged a small fee to offset the cost of payment of tutors, learning material and administrative cost. It is envisaged that classes will run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 4pm and 7pm as well as Saturdays between 8.30am and 1pm.

For more information call 00414093761.