'R460m is budget for bursaries only', MEC urges matric learners to work hard, aim high

The official launch for the 2017 Winter School Camp took place on Thursday, 6 July, at VUT's Desmond Tutu Hall, Vanderbijlpark Campus. Gauteng MEC for Education Panyazi Lesufi addressed 1 000 learners from the Sedibeng West and Johannesburg Central Districts.

In his address, Lesufi told learners that when the 2016 national matric performance results were released, Gauteng province (GP) placed third, after the Western Cape and Free State. Lesufi said his wish is to change this; he wants to see Gauteng take first position and continue to lead in the years to come.

He further urged the learners to work hard and focus, because that's the only way GP can achieve its goal of reaching first place. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has received a budget of R460 million to give away for bursaries to top achieving learners in various schools.

Lesufi encouraged the learners to aim for bachelor passes. Expressing his confidence in the learners, he said he is well aware that all those selected to take part in the Winter School programme are the top 10 best learners from each of their schools; therefore he has no doubt the bursaries will go to most of them.

Renowned motivational speaker and best-selling author, Linda Ntuli gave a fiery talk, which left the learners feeling powered up and inspired. Giving them advice on how to tackle their exams and handle stressful situations, he further encouraged them to never give up, and not focus on where they come from, but where they're going and what they want to be.

Matric can be a stressful time where learners make an uncomfortable transition. The 2017 Winter School Camp is a pilot project envisioned by Lesufi to boost the provincial pass rate and assist learners in areas where they seem to be struggling. There are teachers and tutors on hand to give guidance to the learners. The project sees a partnership between the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), Sedibeng West District, GDE and North West University. One thousand top matric learners from various schools in Sedibeng West and Johannesburg Central Districts were selected to attend the two-week camp (from 3-14 July) with learners accommodated at the VUT residences.