One South African school had a 0% pass rate in the 2025 matric exams

The Naledi Ya Meso Secondary School in Limpopo province recorded a dismal 0% pass rate in the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. 

With the national pass rate standing at 88%, this isolated failure has ignited a blame game involving school management, teachers, parents, learners, and even supernatural beliefs, while provincial leaders vow swift interventions to turn the tide.

Nestled in the rural village of Dikgalaopeng within the Sekhukhune South education district, Naledi Ya Meso Secondary School serves a small community in one of Limpopo’s more challenged areas. 

The school’s name, translating to “Star of the Morning” in Sesotho, belies its recent struggles. 

Established as a public secondary institution, it has seen fluctuating enrollment, dropping from 135 pupils in 2024 to just 99 in 2025, with only nine learners currently registered for matric. 

Despite government investments in infrastructure, including a fully equipped laboratory, the school grapples with chronic understaffing; some subjects lack teachers entirely.

Historically, the school’s performance has been underwhelming but showed signs of modest improvement. In 2023, it achieved a 40% pass rate, edging up to 40.1% in 2024. 

However, this progress evaporated in 2025, marking Naledi Ya Meso as the only school nationwide to post a complete failure

100% failure

Fifteen learners sat for the 2025 matric exams at Naledi Ya Meso, and not a single one passed. 

This stark outcome has left the community reeling, with parents expressing deep disappointment and learners hiding from public view out of shame. 

One parent shared anonymously to the Sunday Times: “Since the results came out, my son has been sleeping and ashamed; he never left the yard for days.”

“He was saying that he can’t walk in the streets with pride as they are the laughing stock of the community.” 

The failure stands in sharp contrast to the province’s overall improvement and the national average, prompting urgent questions about systemic breakdowns.

The fallout has exposed a web of interconnected issues, with no single party escaping scrutiny – or taking responsibility. 

Principal Matshipane Mohlala, who has been ill, faces imminent removal amid accusations of poor oversight. Reports highlight years of institutional collapse, including a lack of accountability and inadequate staffing.

Teachers have reported disinterest among pupils, such as refusing to attend Saturday classes. 

Allegations of violence, including learners attacking educators with pangas (machetes), have surfaced, painting a picture of rampant ill-discipline.

A recurring theme is the alleged absence of parental support, with officials noting that some parents fail to address behavioural issues.

Shifts in academic streams and a belief in witchcraft, where excellence is discouraged for fear of bewitchment, have also been cited.

DA shadow minister for basic education, Nomsa Marchesi, described the incident as symptomatic of Limpopo’s longstanding educational woes. 

Premier promises intervention

In a televised interview on eNCA, Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba minced no words: 

“We know the problem now… There’s no leadership, there’s no management. Therefore, it’s simple. The MEC knows what needs to be done.” 

She said that changing management alone can yield dramatic improvements, citing a school that jumped from 38% to 98% pass rate after a principal swap. 

Ramathuba dismissed labour disputes playing out in the media, insisting on a proper diagnosis: “Probably maybe all these years we’ve not been making the correct diagnosis.” 

During her visit to the school on January 15, she promised not to close it, pledging adoption and support:

 “We will help you with your studies, but you must do most of the work yourselves.” 

“This school cannot be closed. You even have a laboratory. We are going to adopt this school and improve its performance.”

In another eNCA segment, she highlighted monitoring efforts and allegations of learner misconduct, urging parental accountability: “So it’s discipline; some parents cannot correct [their children].”

Limpopo Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya has committed to interventions, acknowledging issues like underperformance during term exams and false assurances from the principal.