Overview
Popano is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Section A, Botshabelo, Free State, South Africa. It currently enrols 1,357 learners and is staffed by 38 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 36:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q1. It falls within the Motheo education district and achieved an excellent 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 92.9% (158 of 170 candidates).
Popano Secondary School Matric Performance
Since 2023, Popano has declined, moving from a 98.0% pass rate to 92.9% in 2025, the most recent year, 170 learners sat the exam.
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 170 | 158 | 92.9% |
| 2024 | 113 | 110 | 97.3% |
| 2023 | 98 | 96 | 98.0% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: POPANO SS (3172020).
Subject pass rates
Popano offered 11 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 90.9%. Physical Sciences performed strongest at 100.0%, while Geography was the weakest at 78.1%. 2 subjects recorded a 100% pass rate (Physical Sciences, Business Studies).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 22 | 19 |
86.4%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 149 | 132 |
88.6%
|
| Physical Sciences | 21 | 21 |
100.0%
|
| Life Sciences | 104 | 86 |
82.7%
|
| English (FAL) | 171 | 170 |
99.4%
|
| Accounting | 49 | 47 |
95.9%
|
| Business Studies | 66 | 66 |
100.0%
|
| Economics | 49 | 42 |
85.7%
|
| Geography | 32 | 25 |
78.1%
|
| History | 30 | 25 |
83.3%
|
| Agricultural Sciences | 45 | 38 |
84.4%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 14 other secondary schools in Botshabelo.
Popano Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 3.4 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Popano charges no tuition fees. Plan instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and outings.
Public secondary school (Grades 8–12); fees regulated by the SA Schools Act.
Fee questions
How much are school fees at Popano for 2027?
Tuition at Popano for the 2027 academic year is R0; the school is officially classified as no-fee (Q1) by the Department of Basic Education in the Motheo district. Parents may still need to cover uniform and stationery costs; contact the school office for specifics.
Is Popano a no-fee school?
Yes, Popano is officially a no-fee school (Q1), recognised as such by the Department of Basic Education in the Motheo district. No tuition is charged to any of its 1,357 learners.
What is the quintile of Popano and what does it mean for fees?
Classified as Q1 by the Department of Basic Education, Popano falls within the no-fee category, meaning the 1,357 learners attending here in Section A, Section A, Free State pay no school fees.
How to apply
Applications to Popano for Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) are submitted directly at the Popano school office in the Motheo education district. Below is the step-by-step process specific to Free State.
-
1
Confirm availability with Popano
Contact Popano directly to confirm whether places are available for the year you're applying.
-
2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from 190 , Section a, Section a, Botshabelo, 9789 or download it from the Free State Department of Education website.
-
3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Popano during the school's published admission window.
-
4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Popano is a no-fee school (Q1), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
-
5
Confirm placement and enrol
Wait for confirmation from Popano. If declined, you may appeal at the Motheo district office under the Free State Department of Education.
- Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID
- Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens)
- Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months)
- Latest school report
- Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1)
- Most recent end-of-year report from the previous school
- Transfer letter from the previous school (for Grade 8+ transfers)
Admissions questions
How do I apply to Popano for the next school year?
To apply to Popano for the next academic year, collect and submit the application form directly at Popano. Free State applications are submitted directly to the school during the announced admission period. For confirmation of available places, contact Popano via the school office.
What documents do I need to apply at Popano?
Popano requires the following documents for admission: • Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID • Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens) • Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months) • Latest school report • Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1) Contact Popano (the school office) for any school-specific requirements.