FS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REORGANISING FINISHING SCHOOLS MODEL

Finishing School (Supplied)

By: Staff Reporter

The Free State Department of Education is reorganising its post-matric intervention approach from the Finishing Schools Model to the Second Chance Matric Support Programme (SCMSP) to ensure greater access, flexibility, and sustainability in helping learners complete the NSC qualification and consequently improving their subject performance.

From 2026, the Department will transition from the current full-time Finishing Schools Model to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) Second Chance Matric Support Part-time Model, aligning the provincial programme with the national framework while expanding reach and improving efficiency.

The Free State currently operates five full-time Finishing Schools, one in each district, namely, Riverside in QwaQwa, Selokisa in Botshabelo, Tumahole in Parys, Mohokare in Zastron, and Tshepo Themba in Welkom.

Together, these centres support around 5,000 learners annually who either did not meet the National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass requirements or wish to improve their results for entry into higher education.

The Finishing School model, unique to the Free State, provides full-time learning opportunities for learners rewriting up to three subjects.

Due to increasing financial pressures and the need to broaden access, the Department will now align the Finishing School Model to the DBE Part-time Model, which offers flexible class schedules from 14:00 to 17:00 on weekdays or on weekends, at designated centres across all districts.

This alignment will increase the current SCMP from 5 to a possible 12 centres.

Free State Education MEC, Dr Mamiki Maboya, said the reorganisation marks a strategic shift towards a more inclusive, cost-effective, and sustainable system that gives every learner a fair second chance to succeed.

“This reorganisation will ensure that more young people, even in remote areas, can access quality teaching and learning support without financial barriers. Our focus is on broadening access to enhanced quality education and empowering learners to re-enter the HEI sector with confidence,” said MEC Mamiki Maboya.

Under the new model, learners will register at district offices and be directed to their nearest Second Chance Matric Support Centre.

To accommodate the growing number of post-matriculants seeking to complete or improve their results, the Department will identify and accredit more centres across all districts, ensuring that every qualifying learner has access to a facility within reasonable reach.

This expansion will significantly broaden participation, particularly for learners in rural and underserved areas.

Importantly, all tuition and learning materials will continue to be offered free of charge, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to equitable, high-quality education for all.

MEC Maboya further emphasised that this evolution is not about closing doors of learning but opening more of them.

“We are reconfiguring the Finishing Schools Programme to serve more learners and more efficiently. By realigning our approach, we ensure continuity, improved quality, and long-term sustainability that will help unlock the potential of thousands of future leaders in our province,” said Maboya.

Registrations for the 2026 academic year opened on 1 October 2025 and will remain until 28 February 2026 (this will be standard for every year), at all district offices across the Free State.

Learners are encouraged to visit their nearest district office to register and for placement at a Second Chance Matric Support Centre.