The North West Department of Education is serious about the First Push Campaign, which is a proactive approach to improving academic performance in schools across the province. Mafikeng Secondary School, which achieved more than 85% pass rate in the 2024 matric results, is amongst the schools which are currently implementing in the campaign.

The school recently hosted a meeting with parents and Grade 12 learners, where they entered into an agreement to support learners throughout the year. The school management presented the school’s performance in 2024 and its targets for 2025, emphasizing the importance of work ethic, academic commitment, discipline, and adherence to school policies.

The MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi emphasized the need for hard work to begin at the start of the year, rather than waiting until the end.

“As the North West Department of Education, we have resolved that hard work should start immediately in the first quarter. Gone are the years of exerting pressure during the last push.

“The department has set targets, aiming to be among the top three provinces in the country. To achieve this, already many schools across the province have introduced extra and evening classes to encourage learners to develop a strong work ethic from the beginning of the year”, said MEC Motsumi.

MEC Motsumi further expressed gratitude to parents for attending school meetings and encouraged them to actively participate in their children’s education. By working together, parents, learners, and educators can ensure academic success and achieve the department’s realistic targets.

Parents were given a one-on-one opportunity with the teachers of different subjects to discuss progress of the learner.