The Centre of Science and Technology, known as COSAT, in Khayelitsha has been recognised as South Africa’s top-performing Quintile 3 public ordinary school at the 2026 National Education Excellence Awards.
The award was presented at the national ceremony on 24 July. The Western Cape Education Department said principal Tiro Motaung accepted the recognition on behalf of the school and credited the sustained work of educators and learners.
The department’s account highlighted the school’s focus on Mathematics, English, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Information Technology, as well as its practice of supporting incoming Grade 8 learners while they are still in Grade 7.
Other Western Cape schools were also recognised. Bloemhof Girls’ High School placed second nationally among Quintile 5 schools, Westerford High School placed third in that category, and Vredendal Secondary School placed third for high-school facility upkeep and maintenance.
The awards also recognised district performance, leadership and support for foundational learning, while the Western Cape Education Department received a Special Ministerial Award after all of its education districts recorded a 2025 National Senior Certificate pass rate above 80%.