ALL five pregnant matriculants at Barolong High School in Mahikeng, North West, have passed.

The school received a 91.4% pass rate compared with 88.7% in 2011.

Last year Sowetan reported that 17 pupils at the school were pregnant and most of them heavily so, to the extent that they had to bring along their parents and guardians in case they went into labour or complications arose during exams.

According to principal Steve Sello, the winter school camp and support provided by teachers helped a lot.

"The first thing I looked at after receiving the results was the results of the pregnant matric girls - and they all passed. It's a relief," he said.

Lepang Golekanye, 18, was among the five matriculants who were pregnant.

She gave birth to baby Realeboga in December, two weeks after she finished writing her matric examinations.

She scored three Cs, two Ds and an E.

"I am very excited," she said. "It was not easy being pregnant and a learner at the same time. I had many critics at school, but that did not stop from getting what I want, which was a university entrance."

Golekanye said she received a provisional admission letter from North West University and aims to study social work.

Her child will be left in the care of her grandmother. Ntombi Golekanye.

- tshehleb@sowetan.co.za

This article was first published in print on 3 January 2013