The Free State province has yet again topped the country’s grade 12 results, making it the third time in a row that the province has shown excellence in this regard. The province received the best pass rate nationally (85.7%) – an improvement of 0.6% from 2020.

The Matric Well Done Function, which seeks to celebrate the top 100 performing learners in the province was held at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), and saw teachers and parents get together to celebrate this great feat.

Chairperson of the CUT Council, Cllr Matthew Rantso said that this achievement means better and more quality students for universities in general and for CUT. “To our matriculants, big thanks to those of you for choosing CUT as your preferred place of learning and your home away from home. You are privileged to enter higher education at a time when the world is looking up to you for solutions of the 21st century. You can count on CUT to support your academic journey as we are committed to quality teaching and learning – taking innovation and creativity to greater heights. Our mandate as a university of technology moves us to produce world-class graduates and develop demand-driven academic programmes that are unique to South Africa. We are, indeed, a strong team – fit for the challenges and opportunities of the ever-evolving and changing world,” said Cllr Rantso.

Education MEC, Dr Tate Makgoe, donned his celebratory white suit and lauded teachers for being patient and supportive with the class of 2021, achieving great results, especially during a pandemic. “Our teachers this year - all of them in the province - did more work than anybody else. I know that this class of 2021, many of them could not attend all the classes of grade 11, so in grade 12 all our teachers were teaching grade 11 and 12 all in the same year. This has also shown that our teachers are capable. This province has been number one six times, in the past ten or so years. This year our province made history; we are the only province ever to get number one three times in a row and we are simply the best,” said Makgoe proudly.

Makgoe also thanked the 112 markers at the Albert Moroka High School in Thaba Nchu, who worked during heavy storms in December 2021 when the school suffered significant damages after the roof was blown off.

The class of 2021 have set the bar high, a total of 35,055 candidates wrote the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams in 2021, with 76.4% passing with a bachelor’s pass. 13,971 candidates passed with a bachelor’s pass, increasing their chances of pursuing their studies further.

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CUT Council Chairperson, Councillor Mathew Rantso congratulated the class of 2021, encouraging them to further their studies.