By Mogamat Ameen Strydom
Al-Azhar School has once again achieved a 100% matric pass rate, marking a significant milestone for the institution and reaffirming its long-standing commitment to academic excellence and disciplined learning.
Speaking to VOC News, principal Ashiek Manie said the achievement was met with deep gratitude and pride, describing the result as the culmination of years of careful planning rather than a once-off success. “Alhamdulillah, with immense gratitude and shukran to Allah, I am truly elated. We’ve been striving to reach this milestone again after achieving a 100% pass rate in 2018, and now we’ve made it a reality for the second time,” he said.
While the school consistently maintained an average pass rate of 98% in recent years, Manie explained that reaching 100% again required sharper focus and strategic refinement. “A result like this doesn’t happen by chance. If you want consistency at 100%, 99% or even 98%, you need to be smart, strategic and structured,” he said.
One of the key changes implemented between 2024 and 2025 was the introduction of Religious Studies as a compulsory subject. The subject emerged as one of the school’s strongest performers, producing 15 distinctions. Overall, the school achieved 79 A symbols and 125 B symbols across all subjects.
Equally significant was the improvement in the quality of passes. Bachelor-level passes increased from 74% to 85%, a shift Manie described as one of the school’s proudest achievements. “Any school would be proud of that, but our vision is even bigger: 100% passes with 100% bachelor passes. That’s our next goal,” he said.
Strong performances were also recorded in Business Studies, Afrikaans, English and History, while Mathematics, despite smaller class numbers, produced an A symbol and several B symbols. “The quality of the results is exactly where we wanted it to be,” he added.
Beyond subject changes, the school intensified its exam-oriented teaching approach. Lessons were designed with examination trends in mind and supported by regular testing and revision. “You don’t just teach content; you teach with the exam question in mind,” Manie explained.
Another cornerstone of the school’s success was its interventionist teaching strategy. Weaker learners were identified early and supported through group work, study-buddy systems and targeted teacher assistance. “We don’t let learners drown; we pull them up,” Manie noted.
Parental involvement also played a critical role through the school’s PINTS model, which promotes strong partnerships between parents and educators. Weekly testing, structured note-taking and peer collaboration further reinforced learning.
Manie credited the school’s Grade 12 teaching team for their dedication, describing them as the institution’s “A-team” who consistently go beyond the call of duty.
As a faith-based institution, Al-Azhar’s ethos remains rooted in its RIDAA values: Respect, Excellence, Discipline, Allah-consciousness and Akhlaq. “We believe value-driven education is the key to success. We’re building not just results, but good people,” he said.
Looking ahead, Manie expressed confidence that with continued commitment, strategic teaching and faith, the school would sustain its achievements. “With the help of Allah, we will continue striving for excellence, Insha Allah.”
VOC News
Photo: VOCfm
