Learners ready to achieve the district goal of 90% pass rate! The inaugural winter school camp attracted 550 Lejweleputswa grade 12 learners, 450 of which are boarders in the campus residences and the remainder are day scholars. Learners are also divided into manageable groups of 55 per class for subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Science and Geography.

The historic Winter School Camp officially kicked off at the CUT Welkom Campus on 29 June 2025 with 550 Grades 12 learners from 18 schools across the Lejweleputswa District.

The two weeks enhanced collaborative Winter School is not just about offering extra classes to matriculants, but an intervention programme designed by the CUT Welkom Campus in partnership with the Lejweleputswa Education District to bolster learners’ academic performance in critical STEM subjects. The sessions are facilitated by qualified educators from the Department of Education, ensuring that learners benefit from specialised knowledge and curriculum-aligned teaching.

Earlier this year, the university and the Lejweleputswa Education District entered into an MoU agreement to strengthen their long-standing relations. In the agreement, both institutions focused on recognising the shared commitment to educational excellence, community development, resource sharing, learner empowerment and the advancement of skills in the region that will bring about positive and lasting impact on educational outcomes and the community.

Mosala Secondary School learners stepping into greatness at CUT’s 2025 Matric Winter School Camp which will conclude on 10 July 2025.

In her address at the official welcome, Lejweleputswa Education District Director, Ms Phehello Zonke, said that establishing the camp will provide holistic support for the learners and address existing learning gaps. She commended CUT for stepping into the bigger picture of improving learners’ performance in STEM education. “In Lejweleputswa we believe in excellence. Our 2025 ambitious pass rate goal is 95%, with at least 50% bachelor pass rate. Our primary objective is to address learning gaps for learners who did not achieve the desired results and provide targeted support and resources to help them improve their grades. This programme also aims to enhance their subject knowledge, help them develop effective study habits, time management and ultimately increase their chances of success,” said Zonke.

According to Dr Ritu Bhagwandeen, Departmental Manager and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Faculty of Humanities), her department has been involved with supporting matriculants since 2022. “We have been part of the 2024 improvement plan even though it was on a small scale of 190 learners during Saturdays and holidays. These initiatives are aligned with our CUT’s mission to support learner achievement, strengthen school-university collaboration, and foster pathways to higher education. As CUT, we remain committed to being a transformative force in education, fostering innovation and excellence for future generations.”