DESPITE facing significant challenges, Thabane High School in Galeshewe has made history by improving its Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate from 86% in 2023 to an impressive 94.6% in 2024.

The school’s principal, Mr L Mpolokeng, highlighted this milestone as a testament to the dedication of both learners and teachers. He proudly shared that one of their learners, Bradley Thole, achieved 16th place in the Northern Cape's Top 20 matric achievers.

He said the journey was not easy, but for the first time, the learners and teachers managed to achieve a pass rate of over 90% in their final exams.

“It was not easy. Some of the learners were extremely rude to us and some even resorted to violence against us. The teachers, fortunately, did not succumb to the pressure and remained dedicated to the mission. The learners later changed their behaviour and complied. The teachers hosted extra classes for learners. They even had some more classes in the office with the learners who were struggling. They sacrificed their time greatly to assist each learner. The teachers were with the learners every step during the examinations as they were also excited to see the end product of the learners’ hard work,” said Mpolokeng.

He said that of the 111 Grade 12 learners in 2024, only six did not pass.

“We are not giving up on those learners who have not made it. We know that no child would go through all the years of schooling, only to want to fail in their last year.”

Mpolokeng expressed confidence that future Grade 12 learners will build on the strong foundation laid by the Class of 2024.

“This is a big milestone for our school. We had 111 Grade 12 learners for 2024 and for 2025 our class has increased to 150 learners. Thirty of those learners have been progressed. The challenge is there, but I am positive we will rise to the challenge. The teachers have set a target for themselves and said they want to increase the current pass percentage.”

However, Thabane High School faces ongoing difficulties. The Quintile 2 school had a bumpy first day of the new academic year as they had no stationery.

“I am greatly disappointed in the provincial Department of Education. We are unable to start with learning as we have no stationery for learners and we have no printing paper or ink for the printers. We cannot start with classes. We were only informed last week that there is no money. There is also no feeding scheme for the learners.

“I am very disappointed because had they informed us last year, we could have told the parents that they had to buy stationery for the learners. We would have been better prepared had we known that there was no money for these supplies.

“What is also frustrating, is that the department always breathes down our necks about the management of the school. However, when things emanate from them, they do not supply us with answers on how these financial problems started or when they might be solved.”

Mpolokeng said he is preparing to navigate another difficult year ahead.

“We rely 100% on the government and now they are not coming to the party. We will, however, have to push through. We will work with our learners and weather this storm. We are positive that we will not let this momentous occasion be a short-lived achievement,” he said.

Bradley Thole, who secured position 16 in the 2024 Matric Top Achievers in the Northern Cape, said he is thrilled about the results his school managed to achieve.

“I am so happy that my school achieved such greatness. The teachers have truly been the driving force that kept us focused and pushed us to success. As a product of Thabane High School, I am proud to show my fellow learners that despite our circumstances, we are able to stand out and break barriers as well as stereotypes,” Thole said.

He shared that his future plan is to pursue a career in teaching by enrolling at the University of the Western Cape.