With learners entering the final weeks of preparation, the department has adopted the theme #Towards95/55 to intensify revision and targeted support across the province. The theme goes back to the province’s aim of achieving a 95% pass rate and 55% bachelor passes to ensure that more learners access higher education and opportunities beyond school.

The 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations will run from Monday, 12 October to Friday, 27 November. A total of 41,479 candidates are expected to write at 368 examination centres across the Free State.

The department started the Grade 12 preparatory examinations on Wednesday, 19 August, which will conclude on Monday, 21 September. These examinations help identify regions that need further assistance and are an important measure of the province’s preparedness for the NSC.

“Our target is not only a 95% pass rate, but also 55% bachelor passes,” said provincial education spokesperson Howard Ndaba. “We are confident that these targets are within our reach, based on the interventions we have put in place.

“We have already covered the syllabus, which gives us more time to focus on revision and make sure that our learners are adequately prepared for the final examinations. The prelim examinations will help us establish the level of preparedness of our learners. Where they did not perform well, we will devise interventions to make sure they improve before the final examinations.

“Parents are very key to our success. We are calling on them to support our learners during this critical period and help them remain focused on their studies.”

The department’s four-pillar examination readiness plan includes intensive revision programmes, targeted support for critical subjects, a greater emphasis on conceptual understanding and the achievement of the 95% and 55% targets.

Ndaba said particular attention is being given to mathematics, physical sciences, accounting and economics, while the department is also focusing on languages. The department is also strengthening measures to prevent examination irregularities.

On Friday, 9 October, Grade 12 learners will sign a pledge committing themselves to avoiding any form of examination misconduct. Law enforcement agencies will work with the department to safeguard examination materials.

With a 90.6% pass rate, KwaZulu-Natal claimed first position last year, while the Free State recorded 89.33% and placed second.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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