NW launches a high school telephonic tutor programme for learners

The North West Department of Education has launched a tutor programme for high school learners during the four-week break for schools in August.

The program ‘dial-a-tutor’ aims to provide all high school learners, from Grades 8 to 12 across the province, with an opportunity to interact with subject specialists to tutor them in their different areas of learning.

Learners must call a toll-free telephone number to access this programme.

READ | Women’s month: when 20 000 women made history

North West Education MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela says the ‘dial-a-tutor’ initiative is intended to bring the classroom to the pupil.

“As a nation, we are confronted by a unique challenge and it makes the education sector to be the most affected due to the pandemic. As a result, we came up with this solution in order to assist learners while they are at home.”

“With this initiative learners are going to learn beyond the classroom. It will allow them free access to subject specialists and it comes at no cost at all.

“This solution allows learners to leave their contact details and be contacted once a tutor is available.”

ALSO READ | Our first digital magazine – and it’s all about home schooling

According to the department, Grade 8 and 9 pupils will be assisted with Social Science, Natural Science, Mathematics, Economics and Management Sciences, while Grade 10, 11, and 12 will receive help with their content subjects.

“This innovation is an additional intervention to the available efforts to assist learners. The learners will be assisted by the highly qualified tutors who are subject specialists in their areas. We are appealing to parents to encourage learners to utilise this service.”

She also encourages learners to utilise the toll-free number effectively.

The number for learners to use to dial-a-tutor is 0800 383 383 and can be called between Monday to Friday, from 7am to 8pm.