The programme is a basic education initiative that offers an opportunity for learners and adults to obtain their school-leaving qualifications, whether the National Senior Certificate or the Senior Certificate. The programme is open to candidates who wrote matric from 2008 onwards and wish to improve their results.

Learners may also register for the subjects they wish to do better in. It’s free for all students with classes offered at approximately 50 venues throughout the country, including rural and semi-rural areas.

The programme targets key subjects like mathematics, physical sciences, accounting, and languages. “The programme was established to ensure that no learner is left behind,” said Northern Cape education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe. 

“All eligible learners are urged to register before Friday, 6 February. The programme caters to candidates who wrote matric from 2008 onwards and wish to improve their results, adults aged 21 and older who qualify to rewrite their senior certificate, and the school-leaving certificate for adult learners.”

It offers free face-to-face classes at designated centres in Kimberley, Upington, Barkly West, and Platfontein, he said.

The programme is available in Kimberley, Upington, Barkly West, and Platfontein. Photo: Facebook/Northern cape department of education.

Meanwhile, the Free State education department is embarking on a major transformation of its post-matric support system to make it more inclusive and sustainable.

From this year, the province will transition from its long-standing finishing schools’ model to the department of basic education’s second chance matric support programme. The change aims to improve access, flexibility, and sustainability in supporting learners who need a second opportunity to complete or improve their national senior certificate results.

Registrations for the 2026 academic year opened in October and will close on Saturday, 28 February. Learners are encouraged to visit their nearest district office for assistance and placement.

“Under the new model, learners will register at their district offices and be allocated to the nearest accredited second-chance matric support centre,” said Free State education MEC Dr Julia Maboya. “Tuition and study materials will remain free of charge.”

The province operates five full-time finishing schools, one in each district, namely Riverside in QwaQwa, Selokisa in Botshabelo, Tumahole in Parys, Mohokare in Zastron, and Tshepo Themba in Welkom.

These centres together host around 5,000 candidates working towards their senior certificate or national senior certificate. They cater to learners rewriting up to three subjects to meet NSC requirements or improve their results for higher education admission.

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh