Retief Combined School

Retief Combined School is a public combined school in Kestell, Free State, in the Thabo Mofutsanyana education district. The Department of Basic Education classifies it as a combined school. In 2025 it had 859 learners and 46 educators, about 18.7 learners per educator. That makes it larger than the average for public combined schools in Free State (660 learners). It is a quintile 4 school, meaning it serves the second-wealthiest 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, 92.7% of its 82 candidates passed (Free State average: 89.3%).

Matric (NSC) results

92.7% of the school's 82 matric candidates passed in 2025, above the Free State average of 89.3%.

Year	Wrote	Passed	Pass rate	Free State
2023	67	62	92.5%	89.0%
2024	34	34	100.0%	91.0%
2025	82	76	92.7%	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 combined school
Official name (DBE)	Retief C/S
Phase (DBE)	Combined School
Sector	Public
Quintile	4 of 5 (what is this?)
School fees	Fee-paying
Section 21	Yes
Learners (2025)	859
Educators (2025)	46
Learners per educator	18.7 (province average 24.5)
Urban or rural	Urban
EMIS number	440101270
Exam centre number	3191030

Address and location

Street address	Wessels Street, Kestell, 9860
Postal address	Po Box 26, 9860
Town	Kestell
Province	Free State
Education district	Thabo Mofutsanyana
Circuit	9
Municipality	Maluti a Phofung
Ward	3
Former department	House of Assembly(HOA)

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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.