It is clear from the improvement in the overall pass rate announced during the release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results, that the education system is continuing its upward trajectory. “Our District Directors deserve our praise for the incredible work they have put into ensuring that our schools were supported to improve their academic performance,” Basic Education Director-General, Mr Mathanzima Mweli said. Mr Mweli visited all 75 districts last year leading up to the NSC examination to ensure that Last Push activities were in place as part of the DBE’s Learner Support Programme. In addition, online provincial engagements took place with all provinces.

Subsequently, DG Mweli last week commenced with his visits to top performing districts to celebrate and acknowledge their achievements, and to motivate School Management Teams (SMTs), Circuit Managers, GET and FET Subject Advisors and District Directors to continue with their Learner Support Programmes. He also addressed the Class of 2025. These visits commenced at the number one district, Johannesburg West District on 25 January, covering 4,243 learners from 32 schools. “Encouragement and motivation must start early in the academic year,” he said.

This week, he visited schools in the Tshwane North District on 27 January, Tshwane South on 28 January, Gauteng West on 29 January, Gauteng North on 30 January and Johannesburg North on 31 January. These meetings with the DG commence at 05:00 to 07:30 at ten selected schools per district. In addition, DG Mweli is personally congratulating Grade 12 learners who have performed at an aggregate of 90% and above in Grade 11 in all the schools that have been identified.

“Thank you for the excellent hosting, organisation and execution of the 2025 Class Learner Support Programme. The individual and collective leadership of the districts from the classroom up to district level in spearheading the implementation of the Learner Support Programme needs to be commended. It has indeed been time well spent by all accounts. As always, the districts have demonstrated enormous sacrifice and extraordinary generosity and hospitality. Districts need to urgently address the issues that we have raised with them. Our focus of a system wide approach should be maintained in supporting and monitoring all grades, subjects, circuits and districts. Let’s continue to intensify support for the Class of 2025 to perform even better than the previous classes, including the Class of 2024, driving the 5 points or “nuggets” for keeping learners focused based on the study approach of “Read and Practice” every day, and taking Grade 12 learners through the assessment framework, consistent with the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement,” said Mr Mweli.

As he concluded his visits, Mr Mweli motivated learners with words of encouragement, reminding them to stand up even when they stumble and fall. He urged them to remain committed to doing well throughout the year and to take pride in being part of the Class of 2025, despite the challenges they face. The DG urged learners to utilise all available learning and teaching support material, including past papers, to enhance their preparation. Learners were encouraged to dedicate more hours focused on their studying. The importance of peer support was also highlighted, urging learners to be “your sister and brother’s keeper” by helping one another overcome challenges and achieve success together. The DG’s call for excellence, resilience and collaboration for the Class of 2025 was truly inspirational