Popano Secondary School

Popano Secondary School is a public high school in Section A, Botshabelo, Free State, in the Motheo education district. The Department of Basic Education classifies it as a secondary school. In 2025 it had 1 357 learners and 38 educators, about 35.7 learners per educator. That makes it larger than the average for public high schools in Free State (927 learners). It is a quintile 1 school, meaning it serves the poorest 20% of communities according to the national poverty ranking. It is a no-fee school, so parents do not pay school fees. As a Section 21 school, its governing body manages part of its own budget. In the 2025 matric exams, 92.9% of its 170 candidates passed (Free State average: 89.3%).

Matric (NSC) results

92.9% of the school's 170 matric candidates passed in 2025, above the Free State average of 89.3%.

Year	Wrote	Passed	Pass rate	Free State
2023	98	96	98.0%	89.0%
2024	113	110	97.3%	91.0%
2025	170	158	92.9%	89.3%

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
Official name (DBE)	Popano S/S
Phase (DBE)	Secondary School
Sector	Public
Quintile	1 of 5 (what is this?)
School fees	No-fee school
Section 21	Yes
Learners (2025)	1 357
Educators (2025)	38
Learners per educator	35.7 (province average 28.6)
Urban or rural	Urban
EMIS number	440602047
Exam centre number	3172020

Address and location

Street address	190, Section A, Section A, Botshabelo, 9789
Postal address	Po Box 2295, Ramahutsi, 9789
Suburb / area	Section A
Town	Botshabelo
Province	Free State
Education district	Motheo
Circuit	7
Municipality	Mangaung
Ward	33
Former department	Department of Education & Training(DET)

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Admissions

Applications for Grade R, Grade 1 and Grade 8 at public schools in Free State 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.