This new Mindset Learn initiative aims to provide much needed additional 24/ 7 support to learners taking these key subjects. Mindset Learn already broadcast those and other subjects on channels 319 (DStv and Top TV).

Dylan Busa, Mindset Schooling Executive, explained that the Help Desk is informed largely by the number of questions received from learners during last year’s Grade 12 Exam Revision programme. “We invited learners to phone in if they had questions they were struggling with and we received over 200 calls and emails for Maths alone, many of which we could not respond to because of time constraints,” explained Busa.

During 2011, Mindset plans to expand its learner support programmes. Specially designed Learn Xtra DVD kits will be made available to help local communities set up and run their own study groups. Grade 12 kits are expected to be available by June with grade 10 and 11 kits following by the end of the year.

This year, Learn Xtra Grade 12 Exam Revision will provide broadcast support for a Winter School programme for two weeks in the July vacation, prelim exam support for two weeks in August, a Spring School programme for one week in the October vacation and four weeks of support during the final exam period in October and November. Supported subjects will include Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Literacy, Accounting, English First Additional Language and Geography.

The Winter and Spring school programmes will be further supported by detailed learner and facilitation guides. Electronic copies of these guides will be made freely available.

Support for each exam paper will include an exam overview (explaining how the paper will be structured), a set of tips and in-depth revision for the three key topics per paper and two one and half hour live phone-in programmes per day where learners can ask their questions on air.

In the meantime, learners are encouraged to utilise the Learn Xtra Help Desk by submitting their questions and getting the help they need now.

Learns can submit questions in the following ways:
- website www.learnxtra.co.za/helpdesk,
- email [email protected],
- Phone 086 105 8262 and
- the Facebook page www.facebook.com/learnxtra.

For more information, contact Goodman Chauke on 083 503 3683 or email [email protected].