KST’s District Whole School Development (DWSD) model, implemented in partnership with the Free State Department of Education since 2013, has had a lasting positive impact on the province’s education system.

The Free State led the country with an impressive 89.01% pass rate in the 2023 National Senior Certificate exams, a 0.5% increase from the previous year. Notably, the two districts where the DWSD model was piloted, Motheo and Fezile Dabi, ranked second and fifth respectively in national district-level performances.

Motheo district achieved a remarkable pass rate of 91.2%, up from 90.9%, and recorded a bachelor pass rate of 48.6%. Fezile Dabi followed closely with an 89.6% pass rate. These achievements highlight the long-term benefits of the DWSD model, which was piloted for five years and extended for an additional three years, resulting in eight years of sustained curriculum interventions.

The success of the DWSD model in these two districts emphasises the effectiveness of targeted educational strategies and partnerships in driving academic excellence. KST remains committed to supporting educational initiatives that foster significant improvements in student outcomes.