29 January 2026
BloemNuus
SUPPLEMENT
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Perseverance in Free State DNA The Free State MEC for Education, Dr Mantlhake Julia Maboya, has celebrated the province’s second-highest matric pass rate in history, whilst acknowledging the unique obstacles faced by the Covid-19 generation. The Class of 2025 has achieved a remarkable 89,3% pass rate, despite beginning their secondary education journey during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she announced at the provincial results function held at the Central University of Technology, Free State, in Bloemfontein on Friday 16 January. Speaking to the ten of the best, educators, parents and stakeholders at the Matric Well Done function, Maboya described the cohort as “not defined by circumstance, but by resilience and an unwavering commitment to persevere and succeed”. The 38 205 learners who wrote the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations represent the largest cohort ever in the province, with 34 129 achieving the NSC qualification. This translates to the highest absolute number of matriculants ever to pass in the Free State’s history. Pandemic generation Maboya emphasised the unique obstacles this generation faced, having started Gr.8 in 2020, when educational institutions worldwide grappled with learning disruptions, social dislocation and institutional strain. “Their foundational and transitional years were marked by learning losses that research by Unesco, the World Bank, and our own Department of Basic Education confirmed created compounding challenges in literacy,
MEC for Education Dr Julia Maboya congratulates Johannes “Jaco” Deysel from Hoërskool Jim Fouché on being the Free State overall Top Achiever with 9 distinctions.
numeracy, and higher-order reasoning,” she explained. The challenges extended beyond the pandemic, with interrupted delivery of basic services such as water and electricity in some areas, coupled with sustained budgetary constraints across the public sector. The province for 2025 achieved the feat of being the second-best performing province nationally, trailing only KwaZulu-Natal’s 90.6% pass rate. Maboya congratulated KwaZulu-Natal, acknowledging the province’s size and complexity. Quality outcomes The quality of passes reflects a robust educational foundation, with 16 728 learners (43,8%) obtaining Bachelor
passes, 11 926 (31, 2%) achieving diploma passes, and 5 407 securing higher certificate passes. These figures underscore what Maboya termed “progression that, when properly supported, strengthens rather than compromises system performance”. Whilst the pass rate represents a marginal decline of 1,67% from the province’s record-breaking 91% in 2024, Maboya placed this in historical context. “The 2025 pass rate of 89,3% remains our second-highest achievement and must be understood within a context of stability, recovery and continuous improvement rather than as an aberration.”
Jim Fouché High School in Bloemfontein boasts the number one matriculant in the Free State for 2025. Jaco Deysel of this school received the prestigious honour on Friday, 16 January, at the Free State Department of Education’s banquet to honour the top matric achievers, which were presented at the Central University of Technology’s (CUT) Bloemfontein campus. In addition to this achievement, he achieved distinctions in all his subjects: Afrikaans (home language), English (home language), life orientation, mathematics, economics, physical science, accounting, information technology and mathematics (IEB). “Thank goodness, what a great relief. I can only thank God for this,” was Jaco’s first reaction when he received his matric results. Jaco is looking forward to a bright future and will be studying actuarial science at the University of Cape Town (UCT). His excitement about this new academic adventure is palpable, and he tells us that he really liked the subjects of economics, mathematics and information technology. “I believe that this is the perfect combination for what I want to achieve with my studies. My achievements wouldn’t have been possible without my teachers and my parents.” Jaco’s advice to matrics, but also to other learners in the school, is: “Stay calm, be fearless and take chances. Try the things you want to try, or you’ll never know if it could work out for you.” Historical excellence The MEC paid tribute to the legacy of excellence established by her predecessors, notably the late comrades
Mantsheng Ouma Tsopo and Dr Pule Tate Makgoe, known as Mr Simply the Best. She emphasised that excellence in education “is built over time, through continuity of purpose and institutional memory”. The Free State’s consistent performance is evident in its sustained leadership nationally. Comparative data shows the province has consistently outperformed the national average: 89,33% versus the national 88% in 2025, following a pattern established since 2018 when the province achieved 87,5% against a national average of 78,2%. Skills revolution A key component of the forward strategy involves diversifying educational offerings through a five-year plan to increase technical schools, agricultural schools, arts schools, and high-tech institutions offering coding, robotics, and drone technology. “Education must become an engine of economic inclusion, not merely a gatekeeper of credentials,” Maboya declared. The MEC concluded by invoking Oliver Reginald Tambo’s words about the continuing struggle for freedom, applying them to contemporary educational challenges. “In our time, that struggle includes freedom through education, liberation through skills, and economic participation that transforms communities.” As the department prepares for the 2026 academic year, Maboya’s message was clear: Whilst celebrating achievements, the province remains committed to continuous improvement, competing not with other provinces, but with itself, “striving always to be better than yesterday”.
Second Chance Matric Programme Registration to be closed on 9 February 2026 Need more info? Contact your District SCMP Coordinators and SCMP Centre Managers (as per advert)
Registration Details: - Open to Senior Certicate (SC) and National Senior Certicate (NSC) part-time candidates - Registration period: January 14, 2025 - February 9, 2026 - Register online via the Department of Basic Education (DBE) website or visit your nearest district ofce or SCMP centre
The Free State Department of Education invites learners who didn't meet the National Senior Certicate (NSC) or Senior Certicate (SC) requirements to register for the Second Chance Matric Programme before or on February 06, 2026. This programme offers FREE tutoring in key subjects like Accounting, Agricultural Sciences, Business Studies, and more at SCMP centres across the province.
Don't miss this chance to rewrite your story!
SCMP DISTRICT COORDINATORS DISTRICT COORDINATORS
CONTACT NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS
DISTRICT
Dr T.J Meko Mr J. Msiza
071 473 3981 060 988 4433
mekotj@gmail.com jemsiza@gmail.com
MMED Xhariep
Mr S. Zim
083 554 9012
Zimprince111@gmail.com
TMED
Mr S. Mcosana Mr T. Mojanaga
073 155 5179 076 551 3007
S.Mcosana@fseducation.gov.za Thabo.mojanaga.t@gmail.com
Fezile Dabi Lejweleputswa
FEZILE DABI DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN Frankfort Kroonstad Sasolburg Parys Viljoenskroon
CENTRE Falesizwe SS Dr Cingo SS Cedar SS Phehellang SS Kgolagano SS
CENTRE MANAGER Mr F. Motloung Mr Hlahane Mr S. Sibanyoni Ms M. Molo-Mofokeng Mr L.G. Maloisane
CONTACT NO. 079 501 8375 076 676 7057 079 111 9074 084 899 1545 083 769 1626
THABO MOFUTSANYANA DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN Phuthaditjhaba
CENTRE Kholathuto SS
Bethlehem
BHM Mr M. Mhlope Comprehensive Marallaneng SS Mr. Maleka
Ficksburg
MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN EDUCATION DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN Botshabelo Botshabelo Botshabelo Botshabelo Dewetsdorp Thaba Nchu Mangaung Mangaung
CENTRE Lefikeng SS Leratong SS Senakangwedi SS Ntumediseng Metsimaphodi SS Moutoatsi Centre Kagisho SS Tjhebelopele
CENTRE MANAGER Mr Ngcobo Mr Phandle Mr Mmusetsi Mr Mabeba Mrs NF Leepile Mr Mokanyane Mr AM Chele Mr Choane
CONTACT NO. 082 951 8069 082 703 8068 082 314 8238 083 225 4966 078 962 1710 083 779 0438 083 411 4544 073 891 2190
CENTRE MANAGER CONTACT NO. 073 162 1182 Ms Y. Mzima 076 899 3448 079 736 5333
XHARIEP DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN Zastron Trompsburg Koffiefontein
CENTRE CENTRE MANAGER Lere la Thuto SS Mr.Ntja Trompsburg SS Mr. Makhetha Diamanthoogte CS Ms. Morolong
CONTACT NO. 064 941 9692 060 503 4229 072 460 1466
LEJWELEPUTSWA DISTRICT CENTRES TOWN
CENTRE
CENTRE MANAGER CONTACT NO.
Thabong
Lephola SS
Mr Magome
076 726 2539
Virginia Thabong
Reatiehile SS Letjhabile CLC
Ms Motsei Mr Maswnganyi
072 331 1047 072 889 9469 078 525 1907 068 365 9930 078 992 4692 073 303 7242
Theunnissen Retswelletse CLC Mr Koloba Mamaellang Thuto School Mr Masumpa Bothaville LA Wesi School Allanridge Mr Marumo
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