Philemon Ngcelwane High School

Philemon Ngcelwane High School is a public high school in Eastern Cape, Eastern Cape, in the Buffalo City education district. The Department of Basic Education classifies it as a secondary school. In 2025 it had 1 082 learners and 28 educators, about 38.6 learners per educator. That makes it larger than the average for public high schools in Eastern Cape (703 learners). It is a quintile 3 school, meaning it serves the middle 20% of communities according to the national poverty ranking. It is a fee-paying public school. Parents who cannot afford the fees can apply to the school for a full or partial exemption. As a Section 21 school, its governing body manages part of its own budget. In the 2025 matric exams, 75.6% of its 164 candidates passed (Eastern Cape average: 84.2%).

Matric (NSC) results

75.6% of the school's 164 matric candidates passed in 2025, below the Eastern Cape average of 84.2%.

Year	Wrote	Passed	Pass rate	Eastern Cape
2023	168	128	76.2%	81.5%
2024	120	95	79.2%	85.1%
2025	164	124	75.6%	84.2%

Source: Department of Basic Education, 2025 NSC School Performance Report. Pass rate = candidates who achieved the NSC ÷ candidates who wrote. It doesn't show bachelor passes, distinctions or learners who left before Grade 12.

School facts

School type	Public high school
Phase (DBE)	Secondary School
Sector	Public
Quintile	3 of 5 (what is this?)
School fees	Fee-paying
Section 21	Yes
Learners (2025)	1 082
Educators (2025)	28
Learners per educator	38.6 (province average 32.2)
EMIS number	200200688
Exam centre number	4321074

Address and location

Street address	Site No 242,nu 9,mdantsane,5219
Postal address	P O Box 233, Mdantsane, 5219
Town	Eastern Cape
Province	Eastern Cape
Education district	Buffalo City

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Admissions

Applications for Grade R, Grade 1 and Grade 8 at public schools in Eastern Cape open the year before your child starts school. Contact the school for its application form and dates. Read our guide on applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8.