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Secondary Public No Fee Q3

Hector Petersen High School

Zwelitsha, King Williams Town, Eastern Cape

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Learners (2025)
1,342
Educators (2025)
39
Learner : Educator
34.4:1
2025 NSC Pass Rate
94.8%
About this school

Overview

Hector Petersen High School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Zwelitsha, King Williams Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 1,342 learners and is staffed by 39 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 34:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q3. It falls within the Buffalo City education district and achieved an excellent 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 94.8% (201 of 212 candidates).

EMIS
200200240
Phase
Secondary
Sector
Public
Quintile
Q3
Learners (2025)
1,342
Province
Eastern Cape
National Senior Certificate

Hector Petersen High School Matric Performance

Hector Petersen High School's NSC pass rate has improved over the past 3 years, from 91.4% in 2023 to 94.8% in 2025 (212 candidates writing in 2025).

YearWroteAchievedPass rate
2025 212 201 94.8%
2024 206 187 90.8%
2023 209 191 91.4%

Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: Hector Peterson High School (4321034).

2025 NSC subjects

Subject pass rates

Hector Petersen High School offered 11 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 91.6%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 100.0%, while Economics was the weakest at 65.9%. 2 subjects recorded a 100% pass rate (English (FAL), History).

SubjectWroteAchieved2025 pass rate
Mathematics 61 51
83.6%
Mathematical Literacy 151 141
93.4%
Physical Sciences 42 38
90.5%
Life Sciences 89 80
89.9%
English (FAL) 212 212
100.0%
Accounting 59 46
78.0%
Business Studies 85 82
96.5%
Economics 85 56
65.9%
Geography 90 87
96.7%
History 38 38
100.0%
Agricultural Sciences 70 69
98.6%
Mathematics 83.6%
61 wrote · 51 achieved
Mathematical Literacy 93.4%
151 wrote · 141 achieved
Physical Sciences 90.5%
42 wrote · 38 achieved
Life Sciences 89.9%
89 wrote · 80 achieved
English (FAL) 100.0%
212 wrote · 212 achieved
Accounting 78.0%
59 wrote · 46 achieved
Business Studies 96.5%
85 wrote · 82 achieved
Economics 65.9%
85 wrote · 56 achieved
Geography 96.7%
90 wrote · 87 achieved
History 100.0%
38 wrote · 38 achieved
Agricultural Sciences 98.6%
70 wrote · 69 achieved
How it compares

Benchmark against nearby schools

Compared with 4 other secondary schools in Zwelitsha.

2025 NSC pass rate vs. area average
94.8%
Hector Petersen High School
74.9%
Area average
Ranks 1st of 5
Hector Petersen High School
Area average

Hector Petersen High School's 2025 pass rate is 19.9 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.

Learner:educator ratio (lower is more staffed)
34.4:1
vs 33.8:1 area average
Ranks 4th of 5
Fees & funding

School fees

Status
No-Fee School
Indicative 2027 fee
R0 per year (no-fee school)

Hector Petersen High School charges no tuition fees. Plan instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and outings.

Public secondary school (Grades 8–12); fees regulated by the SA Schools Act.

Fee questions

How much are school fees at Hector Petersen High School for 2027?

Hector Petersen High School is a no-fee public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in Zwelitsha, King Williams Town, Eastern Cape, so parents pay no tuition fees for 2027. All 1,342 enrolled learners attend at no charge. Budget instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and excursions. For voluntary contributions or admission fees, phone 040 654 1071.

Is Hector Petersen High School a no-fee school?

Hector Petersen High School is classified no-fee under Q3 and forms part of the state-funded schools serving Zwelitsha, King Williams Town, Eastern Cape. Parents pay no tuition fees.

What is the quintile of Hector Petersen High School and what does it mean for fees?

As a Q3 public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in the Buffalo City district, Hector Petersen High School is funded entirely by the state under the no-fee policy applied to Quintiles 1 through 3.

Admissions

How to apply

To enrol your child at Hector Petersen High School, families in Eastern Cape apply directly at the Hector Petersen High School school office. The exact Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) process in the Buffalo City education district is summarised below.

  1. 1
    Confirm availability with Hector Petersen High School

    Call 040 654 1071 to confirm whether Hector Petersen High School has open places for the year you're applying.

  2. 2
    Start the application

    Collect the official application form from 958 Zone 4,Zwelitsha,King Williams Town,5600 or download it from the Eastern Cape Department of Education website.

  3. 3
    Submit your documents

    Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Hector Petersen High School during the school's published admission window.

  4. 4
    Pay any required deposits or fees

    Hector Petersen High School is a no-fee school (Q3), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.

  5. 5
    Confirm placement and enrol

    Wait for confirmation from Hector Petersen High School. If declined, you may appeal at the Buffalo City district office under the Eastern Cape Department of Education.

Documents typically required
  • Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID
  • Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens)
  • Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months)
  • Latest school report
  • Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1)
  • Most recent end-of-year report from the previous school
  • Transfer letter from the previous school (for Grade 8+ transfers)

Admissions questions

How do I apply to Hector Petersen High School for the next school year?

Hector Petersen High School processes applications at the school office. In the Eastern Cape, applications are made directly at the school office and confirmed by the district. Reach the school directly via phone 040 654 1071 to confirm openings in the Buffalo City district.

What documents do I need to apply at Hector Petersen High School?

When applying to Hector Petersen High School, you'll typically need: • Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID • Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens) • Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months) • Latest school report • Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1) Additional items may be requested by Hector Petersen High School depending on the grade; confirm via phone 040 654 1071.

Get in touch

Contact & location

Address
958 Zone 4,Zwelitsha,King Williams Town,5600
Postal address
Private Bag X 505, Zwelitsha, King Willaim's Town, 5608
Telephone
040 654 1071
Administrative reference details
NatEMIS number
200200240
Circuit
Unknown
Ward
99.0
Local municipality
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
District municipality
Buffalo City
Section 21 status
Yes
Exam centre
No
Status
Open
Nearby

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