Overview
Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Sonwabile, MacLear, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 1,353 learners and is staffed by 36 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 38:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q3. It falls within the Joe Gqabi education district and achieved an excellent 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 95.2% (159 of 167 candidates).
Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School Matric Performance
Since 2023, Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School has remained fairly steady, moving from a 94.5% pass rate to 95.2% in 2025, the most recent year, 167 learners sat the exam.
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 167 | 159 | 95.2% |
| 2024 | 122 | 111 | 91.0% |
| 2023 | 145 | 137 | 94.5% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: Umthawelanga S S School (4271050).
Subject pass rates
Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School offered 11 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 93.6%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 100.0%, while Mathematics was the weakest at 80.4%. 3 subjects recorded a 100% pass rate (English (FAL), Business Studies, Economics).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 51 | 41 |
80.4%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 116 | 109 |
94.0%
|
| Physical Sciences | 46 | 40 |
87.0%
|
| Life Sciences | 87 | 79 |
90.8%
|
| English (FAL) | 167 | 167 |
100.0%
|
| Accounting | 29 | 26 |
89.7%
|
| Business Studies | 29 | 29 |
100.0%
|
| Economics | 29 | 29 |
100.0%
|
| Geography | 92 | 89 |
96.7%
|
| History | 51 | 49 |
96.1%
|
| Agricultural Sciences | 74 | 64 |
86.5%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 4 other secondary schools in MacLear.
Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 8.6 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Umthawelanga Senior Secondary 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 Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School for 2027?
Tuition at Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School for the 2027 academic year is R0; the school is officially classified as no-fee (Q3) by the Department of Basic Education in the Joe Gqabi district. Parents may still need to cover uniform and stationery costs; phone 045 932 1654 for specifics.
Is Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School a no-fee school?
Yes, Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School is officially a no-fee school (Q3), recognised as such by the Department of Basic Education in the Joe Gqabi district. No tuition is charged to any of its 1,353 learners.
What is the quintile of Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School and what does it mean for fees?
As a Q3 public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in the Joe Gqabi district, Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School is funded entirely by the state under the no-fee policy applied to Quintiles 1 through 3.
How to apply
Applications to Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School for Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) are submitted directly at the Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School school office in the Joe Gqabi education district. Below is the step-by-step process specific to Eastern Cape.
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1
Confirm availability with Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School
Call 045 932 1654 to confirm whether Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School has open places for the year you're applying.
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2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from Umthawelanga Ss,Sonwabile ,Maclear,5480 or download it from the Eastern Cape Department of Education website.
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3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School during the school's published admission window.
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4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School is a no-fee school (Q3), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
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5
Confirm placement and enrol
Wait for confirmation from Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School. If declined, you may appeal at the Joe Gqabi district office under the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
- 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 Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School for the next school year?
To apply to Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School for the next academic year, collect and submit the application form directly at Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School. In the Eastern Cape, applications are made directly at the school office and confirmed by the district. For confirmation of available places, contact Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School via phone 045 932 1654.
What documents do I need to apply at Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School?
Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School requires the following documents for admission: • 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) Contact Umthawelanga Senior Secondary School (phone 045 932 1654) for any school-specific requirements.