South African School Hits 96.8% Pass Rate Despite Hardship

When 22 students at Sithengile Senior Secondary School couldn't finish basic novels and were turning to drugs out of frustration, Principal Sibongile Shabalala didn't call it quits. She called it an opportunity.

The school in Claremont, KwaZulu-Natal achieved a stunning 96.8% pass rate in 2025, up from 90.6% the previous year. More than 140 students earned bachelor's passes out of 246 pupils, with two star students scoring five distinctions each.

But the numbers don't tell the real story. The turnaround came from what Shabalala calls the "adoption strategy," where teachers took personal responsibility for students struggling with everything from substance abuse to absent parents.

These weren't your typical study sessions. Boys stayed overnight at school for peer-led tutoring while girls attended extended day classes. Teachers basically moved in, hiring extra security and living at school to support their students.

The school's nutrition program became an unexpected motivator. Using fundraised money, teachers cooked biryani, chicken, and balanced meals that made students feel special. One graduate joked while waving his certificate: "See, ma'am, your biryani helped, I passed."

Many students live alone in rented rooms or in child-headed households just to attend school. Some parents live as far away as Eastern Cape province. When parents asked teachers to stop calling because they couldn't keep coming in, the school filled that gap themselves.

Teachers from lower grades jumped in to help. The school brought in specialist teachers for tough subjects. The district manager and governing body provided funds for food and security. Everyone rallied around these kids.

Why This Inspires

Shabalala's motivation cuts to the heart of what education should be. "I have a great love for an African child," she explained. "This is how I serve because I don't have the money to assist in other ways."

Her teachers sacrificed time with their own families, postponed household repairs, and poured everything into their students. One teacher admitted the job can cost you friendships because there's simply no time for anything else.

During an interview, a tearful student interrupted to show Shabalala her results. The girl had wanted to quit mid-year but teachers convinced her to stay. Now she couldn't believe she'd made it.

That's 246 students who now have a shot at university and better futures, thanks to adults who cooked them dinner and refused to let them drown.