The third nationwide matric maths and science revision initiative, known as Educ8, is under way, with previous editions having attracted more than 200 000 learners since the programme was launched in July 2011.

EduC8 is a partnership between Telkom Mobile, BHP Billiton, Samsung, the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Studietrust, Primestars Marketing and Tsogo Sun and provides support for Grade 12 learners to improve their marks in the final maths and science examinations.

Educ8 targets learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and aims to address the insecurities learners may have as they prepare for the year-end examinations and to increase the number of learners that excel in these subjects.

The programme is filmed from a single venue and then simultaneously broadcast to a network of digitised Ster Kinekor cinema complexes in South Africa.

DBE acting chief director: curriculum implementation Dr Nonhlanhla Nduna-Watson applauded the sponsors of the revision programme, noting that government is keen to partner with the private sector to improve the perform- ance of learners in maths, science and technology.

The Educ8 programme has proved to be successful in the past, as was evidenced by the results of previous participants. A total of 18% of those who attended the maths lessons in 2012 said their results improved by more than 20%, and 43% of those who attended the science sessions said their results improved by up to 10%.

The 2013 sessions will run from July 21 to September 22 and, for the first time this year, sessions in Kimberley have been added.

The sessions are facilitated by subject matter specialists at each cinema who interact with the learners on the content that is broadcast during the morning. They also address questions that the learners may have. The sessions and content are designed to engage and entertain learners as they study.