The Free State has held the top spot in matric results for five consecutive years, achieving an 89.03% pass rate in 2023.

No less than 37,461 full-time and 8,118 part-time Free State candidates will sit for their papers at 396 examination centres. First up was the English Home Language Paper 3, English First Additional Language Paper 3, and English Second Additional Language Paper 3 on Monday (21/10).

The Free State Education MEC, Julia Maboya, alongside Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube. Photo: Facebook

Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, and senior education department officials visited Grassland Secondary School in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, to oversee the first day of exams. MECs visited various schools elsewhere to monitor the start of the exams and wish learners well.

Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, interacting with Grassland matriculants before they wrote their first paper in the 2024 NSC final exams. Photo: Facebook

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube visited the Free State on Friday (18/10) on her Listen and Learn Tour.

The Free State Education MEC, Julia Maboya, alongside Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube. Photo: Facebook

Education MEC Julia Maboya welcomed the premier’s visit, calling it a positive sign of the province’s educational commitment. “We want our learners to write with confidence, believe in themselves, and make us proud as the Free State. We are confident that they will safeguard the number one spot for years to come,” Maboya said.

The department’s focus is not only on maintaining the top pass rate but also on improving the quality of the passes, she said. “We aim to provide high-quality education, and our learners have the full support of the department, parents, the community, and the national department of basic education.”

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg