By: Zethu Gweva
Playing a role in improving the Eastern Cape matric pass rate, Thabo Malapane tutors extra classes for Grade 12 learners during his family time.
According to the qualified Science teacher who specializes in Maths and Science at Althorpe College the main subjects that challenge pupils are Maths, Science, Accounting and English, also known as the big four.
“Those are the main four subjects that are giving our pupils problems. Not that they do not understand but is just that they do not get a chance to ask questions and get answers that clarify their questions,” he said.
Speaking about the reason why pupils do not receive clear answers, Malapane added teachers are under siege as the number of children in classes is sometimes overwhelming and the workload becomes too much.
He said that they have 15 pupils from different parts of East London enrolled for extra tutoring classes which allows them to pay careful attention to each of the learner’s needs.
“We tutor classes from Grade 5 to 12 and those who are repeating matric, and we thoroughly go through past questions papers and have a direct conversation with them in order to understand what is challenging them in a certain subject,” said Malapane.
In addition, he said they have a huge impact in the improvement of the matric pass rate in the province and instead of spending time with his family, he spends hours assisting Grade 12 learners with their trial and final exams.
“As I have emphasised before the wheel of education is slow and we have to fill-up where there are some gaps in Grade 8 . Every year we fill-up a subject improvement plan,” he said.
One of the learners’ parents who did not want to be named said the extra classes have helped her child’s academic improvement ever since he started attending.
“Malapane dedicates his time to help our children and I am very grateful for his efforts. The main four subjects used to challenge my child a lot but every year I see improvement,” she said.
Further, Malapane encouraged parents to be in contact with him for enquiries and more information on the after school classes he teaches by calling 0833095717 or email thabo@tmmtutors.co.za.