The province produced a 66.7%, pass rate, which is slightly lower compared to 2020’s 68.2%. But not not all is gloom, as the MEC for Education, Polly Boshielo, said during the official announcement of the results in Polokwane. “The province didn’t have any schools with a 0% pass rate in five years,” she said. A number of schools in the Lulekani education circuit has attained low results. Makikele Secondary achieved a 18.26% pass rate which makes it the lowest in the circuit, with only 19 out of 104 learners passing.

At position eight is Baranuka Secondary which is situated at Matiko-Xikaya village with a 23.17% pass rate. The school’s pass rate has declined by 5.3% when compared to the 28.5% from 2020. This has left many community members asking if the school is still viable, as it continues producing bad results. Not everyone are shocked by the performance of Baranuka as it has been inundated with problems. Last year the Herald reported on the poor state of affairs at the school, as grade 8 to grade 11 learners only managed to write their final exams a week later than the scheduled time. Despite this there are schools that managed to perform well.

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All Saints College attained a 95.38% pass rate, Frans du Toit High School a 93.43% pass rate and Meridian College was third in the Lulekani circuit with a 89.79% pass rate. Ntshuxeko High School obtained 69.87%, Prieska Combined 58.33%, Majeje 55.91 and Nkateko High 51.85%. One of the local schools which has also done well is Kingfisher Private School. Nine of their ten matriculants attained bachelors passes and one a diploma pass. Boshielo said that candidates who failed completely and want to return to school to repeat all their subjects, are welcome to do so.

“Principals of schools are directed to give these learners another chance to be taught and register as full-time repeater candidates at their schools. “The statistics show that eight out of ten candidates who go back to school full-time are able to succeed in their examinations,” she said. She also encourage those who may not want to return to school, to register to write their failed subjects as ‘repeat part-time candidates’ in May/June or October/November. “Information on registration for these examinations is obtainable from circuit offices.

“Those who write NSC examinations as ‘repeat part-time’ must only register for the subjects they have already written and failed since 2008. “If the candidates improve their performance in these examinations, they may apply for a combined results’ certificate at the nearest district office. “Another option is to apply and register for skills programmes at TVET colleges which remains open for those who may wish to follow the vocational route.”