Despite retaining the number-one position in the province and showing a slight improvement on last year’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate, the Ehlanzeni District Circuit’s 88.43% pass rate left a rather bitter taste with its acting district director, Jabulani Ndlovu.

“I was hopeful for a pass rate of above 90%. I was not comfortable receiving the news that we just got 88.43%, because one learner represents a 100%. Maybe a 95% pass rate would have made me proud, but we are always striving for each and every learner within the circuit to pass,” Ndlovu said.

The Ehlanzeni Circuit showed an improvement from the 81.8% obtained in 2023, clinching the spot of the best-performing district circuit in the province for the fifth consecutive year.

In a bid to improve this year’s results, Ndlovu encouraged the Class of 2025 to focus primarily on their academic work.

“Go to school every day, do not bunk classes and listen thoroughly to the teachers. Focus on the work and complete all activities, because school-based assessments prepare the learner to keep up with the pace of the curriculum and improves the teaching and learning processes. All learners who pass have a study timetable and must apply military discipline in following that timetable. Take no holidays from schoolwork and put aside social media,” Ndlovu said.

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The Mpumalanga MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, extended her congratulations to Ndlovu at the announcement of the 2024 NSC examination results on January 14. “This achievement reflects not only the district’s educational excellence, but also the dedication and hard work of all those who contributed to this success. Every circuit within this district, except one, recorded results above the 80% pass rate, underscoring the consistent excellence throughout this district. Indeed, the community of Ehlanzeni has every reason to be happy, as they celebrate a monumental achievement,” Dlamini said.