On 6 January, Limpopo Education MEC Ms Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya visited the Grade 12 class of 2026 at Elim Senior Secondary School in the Vhembe West Education District to assess their readiness for the new academic year. The visit formed part of a community-driven initiative that has seen thousands of Limpopo learners start the year a week ahead of the official provincial schedule.
Elim Senior Secondary, which began teaching on 5 January, has 2,319 learners enrolled for 2026, including 255 matriculants. The early start was organised by school governing bodies (SGBs) and parents to give learners a head start in their final year. The practice, increasingly common across the province, aims to build momentum and improve National Senior Certificate (NSC) results. Officially, schools only open the week following the release of the 2025 NSC examination results.
During her visit, Lerule-Ramakhanya praised the initiative and encouraged learners. “It is inspiring to see communities taking ownership and leading the charge for their children’s education. This early start demonstrates the remarkable commitment of teachers, parents, and the learners themselves as they prepare for their final-year hurdle,” she said. She added, “I wish the Class of 2026 the very best. I have every confidence they will build on the success of previous cohorts and make us all proud.”
The chairperson of the SGB, Mr Katakani Nabela, urged learners to focus on their studies and respect their teachers. “What happened is all in the past. We now have a chance to start again and work harder to achieve better results.” He also encouraged parents to be actively involved in their children’s education. “Check how your children are performing in school. Ask them how things are going with their schoolwork, as many learners suffer in silence,” he said, adding that he expects 100% pass rate for Grade 12s this year.