The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, has raised concerns over the growing number of underperforming schools in the province, despite ongoing efforts to revitalise them.
Motsumi was speaking during the release of the 2025 matric results at Rutanang Primary School in Rustenburg, within the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. She was accompanied by Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, members of the Executive Council, the provincial legislature, and leaders from traditional and Khoisan communities.
Speaking on YOU FM’s Newshour, Motsumi expressed disappointment with the performance of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, which recorded a decline in its matric pass rate.
“Three of our districts have improved their pass rates compared to the previous year, except Ngaka Modiri Molema District, which dropped by 0.10%, attaining position four in the province,” said Motsumi.
She committed to strengthening departmental interventions to support underperforming schools, adding that more targeted strategies would be implemented during the 2026 academic year.
Despite the challenges, Motsumi announced Temogo Matong of Setswakgosing Secondary School in Morokweng village, Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality, as the best-performing candidate in the North West Class of 2025.
Meanwhile, Premier Mokgosi congratulated the Class of 2025 for achieving an overall provincial pass rate of 88.49%, enabling the North West to retain its fourth position nationally.
“By investing in our education system, we seek to heal the divisions of the past by establishing a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights, particularly the right to education,” said Mokgosi.
The Premier reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. He announced that R30 million has been allocated through the Victor Thebe Sefora Provincial Bursary Scheme to assist learners from underprivileged families to pursue studies in various fields.
Mokgosi also urged local municipalities to improve service delivery, warning that failures in basic services could negatively affect learner performance and the broader education system.
“Teaching and learning, as well as our schools, are a microcosm of our broader developmental trajectory. If we fail to find lasting solutions to municipal challenges, we risk placing additional strain on our education system,” he cautioned.
