Premier Letsoha-Mathae: “Learners Must Focus on Studies, Not Domestic Work”

by Central News Reporter
0 comments
Premier Letsoha-Mathae

Premier Letsoha-Mathae

On 2 February 2025, Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, together with MEC for Education Dr Mamikie Maboya, led a Provincial Back-to-School Prayer Service at Diamantehoogte Combined School in Koffiefontein. The event was attended by religious leaders, educators, government officials, and learners, marking the start of the academic year with a strong message of motivation, faith, and commitment to education.

In her address, Premier Letsoha-Mathae urged learners to focus on their studies and not be distracted by responsibilities that are not their own. She issued a firm warning that no learner should be expected to perform domestic duties for any educator, stating:

“Educators receive a salary that allows them to hire domestic workers if they so wish.”

Her remarks were met with resounding applause, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting learners from unfair labour expectations in schools.

Education as a Priority: MEC Maboya’s Vision for the Class of 2025

Speaking after Premier Letsoha-Mathae, MEC Maboya highlighted that the provincial education department’s main goal is to achieve academic excellence. She expressed confidence that through hard work, dedication, and discipline, the Class of 2025 could even surpass the achievements of the previous matric cohort.

“Ours is to achieve excellence, and through commitment, we believe the Class of 2025 will set new records,” she stated.

Learners left the venue inspired and determined to excel in their studies. Sergio Van Wyk, a Grade 12 learner from Luckhoff Combined School, shared his motivation:

“The messages from our leaders encouraged me to work harder in my studies. I now feel more determined to succeed.”

The event was attended by key government leaders, including:

• Executive Mayor of Xhariep District Municipality, Cllr Irene Mehlomakhulu
• Mayor of Letsemeng Local Municipality, Cllr Bonolo Mocwaledi

This collective government presence signified a strong and united approach towards education reform and learner success in the province.

Religious Leaders Bless Learners for the Academic Year

A significant part of the Back-to-School Prayer Service was the blessings and prayers led by religious leaders. Clergy members from various faith-based organisations came together to pray for wisdom, strength, and guidance for the learners and educators.

“Education is not just about knowledge; it is about character, resilience, and faith. We pray that every learner will be protected and find success in their studies,” said one of the religious leaders.

The Free State’s Commitment to Education

The Back-to-School Prayer Service is part of the Free State government’s ongoing efforts to improve education outcomes and create an environment where learners feel supported.

In a related event, Premier Letsoha-Mathae recently addressed the Matric Well-Done Ceremony, celebrating the Class of 2024’s historic 91% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. The Free State has now held the top-performing province title for six consecutive years, showcasing consistent investment and improvement in education.

Premier Letsoha-Mathae: “Education is a Tool for Transformation”

At the Matric Well-Done Ceremony, Premier Letsoha-Mathae compared the province’s educational progress to South Africa’s 30-year journey of democracy, stating:

“Just as we overcame apartheid, the Free State has overcome past education challenges to ensure equity and quality learning for all.”

She credited this success to several strategic interventions, including:

• Infrastructure development – Construction of new schools and renovation of learning facilities.
• Teacher training programmes – Continuous development for educators to improve teaching quality.
• Learner support initiatives – Including extra classes, study camps, and access to digital learning resources.

The province’s 48.2% Bachelor pass rate in 2024, along with top rankings in Accounting, Geography, and Life Sciences, reflects the positive impact of these initiatives.

The Impact of the BELA Act on Free State Education

Premier Letsoha-Mathae also emphasised the role of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, a policy introduced during the 7th Administration. This act aims to strengthen early childhood education, numeracy, and literacy, ensuring that learners receive a strong foundation for future academic success.

“A nation that values its children values its future. The BELA Act ensures that no child is left behind in our education system,” she said.

Class of 2024’s Achievements Set the Benchmark

The 2024 NSC results revealed that the Free State achieved a 91.0% pass rate, a significant increase from 89.0% in 2023. Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, announced the results at a national ceremony on 13 January 2025, praising the province for its exemplary performance.

“The Free State has once again demonstrated that quality education is possible with the right policies, leadership, and commitment,” said Minister Gwarube.

Key Highlights from the 2024 Matric Results:

• Fezile Dabi District achieved a 93.5% pass rate, ranking 2nd nationally among education districts.
• National pass rate reached 87.3%, an all-time high for South Africa.
• 47.8% of matriculants achieved Bachelor passes, the highest proportion in history.

Challenges in the Education Sector

Despite the successes, there remain challenges that the government aims to address:

1. Access to resources – Rural schools still struggle with infrastructure and technology access.
2. Unemployment among youth – Even with matric qualifications, many learners face job market difficulties.
3. Increasing STEM subject participation – The province is working to encourage more learners to take Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

Minister Gwarube stressed the need for continuous improvement, saying:

“Our education system must evolve to meet the demands of a changing economy.”

Future Plans to Improve Free State Education

Looking forward, the Department of Education has outlined key priorities for 2025:

• Expanding access to early childhood education to improve foundational skills.
• Strengthening teacher training to boost literacy and numeracy.
• Updating the school curriculum to better prepare learners for the job market.
• Maximising teaching and learning time to cover the syllabus effectively.


🔴Central News Weekly Edition 087🔴 Download the Latest Edition | Top Story: “Building ‘The Ngwathe We Want’:
Dr Mothamaha Drives Cost-Effective
Solutions with New Fleet Acquisitions”

Download Here:

Read all our publications on magzter:

https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues


Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.

We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.

Advertisement:

To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za

For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za

Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za

General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za

Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za

Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487

Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za

Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube

centralnewsza #news #politics #business

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept