The 2024 National Senior Certificate results, released earlier this year, highlighted the success of secondary schools where Citizen Leader Lab played a role in improving matric pass rates 

While South Africa’s national matric pass rate for 2024 stood at its highest ever at 87.3%, a number of schools supported by our Leaders for Education programme achieved pass rates surpassing the national average. This underscores the ongoing critical need for leadership-centred programmes to address some of the systemic challenges in education. 

The Leaders for Education programme pairs public school principals with business leaders from the private sector in a year-long, immersive leadership development experience. The programme focuses on developing robust school leadership, which research shows is vital for school success. Effective principals play a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting teachers, boosting morale and inspiring motivation and innovation. This creates an environment that is conducive to quality teaching and learning and generates positive changes within the education system. 

Success stories on the ground 

In Johannesburg, Sandringham High achieved a 93.8% pass rate, reflecting a significant increase of 30,4% from 2023’s pass rate of 63.4%. The school’s principal, Pascal Rikhotso, is currently a participant on the Leaders for Education programme. He believes his own development as a leader has contributed to this vast improvement. 

“This journey has allowed me to build a school that values teamwork and encourages inclusivity with the teachers, parents and the community. 

By improving my leadership through Citizen Leader Lab, I’ve been able to create an atmosphere where teachers feel holistically supported. As a former science and technology HOD, I know that teacher motivation and morale are the main catalysts for learner success. All this resulted in the teachers, with the help of parents, coming together to provide holiday classes for the matrics. 

I can already sense the excitement among learners, parents and teachers about what we can achieve together in 2025.” 

Lungisa Secondary in Gqeberha achieved an impressive 99.1% pass rate, far exceeding the national average. Just three years ago, the school’s pass rate stood at a dismal 21%. 

Echoing the sentiments of Principal Rikhotso, Principal Thabo Mapena expressed how growing as a leader has helped turn his school around 

“I inherited Lungisa when it was unfortunately a non-performing school. But being part of this programme completely changed my perspective on leadership and management, and it has reshaped the entire school. 

The biggest change was my willingness to collaborate with educators instead of taking a top-down approach. As soon as I started embracing this approach, I could see the difference. Slowly but surely, I gained the buy-in and support of the teachers. 

I believe this is what led to our success: The educators feel supported and heard, so they are willing to go above and beyond for our learners. For example, they organised after-school programmes for the matrics, even though they aren’t paid for it. They are also punctual and enthusiastic to give back.” 

Notable improvements in pass rates were also observed at Citizen Leader Lab schools in Lephalale, Limpopo. These include Majadibodu Secondary, which increased its pass rate from 69.2% in 2023 to 92.3%, while Radinong High improved from 66.7% in 2023 to 87.8%. Meanwhile, Dysselsdorp Secondary, located in the Eden and Central Karoo District, achieved a 94.1% pass rate. This district was the top performer in the Western Cape. 

CEO of Citizen Leader Lab, Komala Pillay, said: ‘’These achievements have showcased the dedication, leadership and vision of our school principals. It demonstrates that when school principals are equipped with the right tools and support to lead, we do start to see promising results.  

Improved matric results don’t just open doors to education and employment for our youth — they uplift entire communities. As we enter the second quarter of 2025, Citizen Leader Lab is looking to business leaders and funders to be part of replicating these successes across South Africa.’’