What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt about the dashboard this year? Scan the code with your phone, or click here to submit.  
   
 
  ON THE
DDD CALENDAR
   
  You’ve seen the data – but what next? End your term 1 on a learning curve, with a special webinar on what to do on the dashboard after you’ve identified your progressed learners.

Other webinars include submission guidelines, tips and more … Click any button below for more details, or to book your seat:

TOPIC: Submitting end-of-term data. What, why and how to submit your school’s end-of-term data to the dashboard; resubmission rules and how to overcome common challenges encountered.
   
 
   
 
   
  TOPIC: Progressed learners – next steps. Learn how to use DDD data to help take your progressed learners to the next level. This webinar focuses on using data to improve pass rates and apply key policies such as Circular D3 of 2023.
   
 
   
 
  DATA NEWS
AND UPDATES
   
  Northern Cape and Free State school teams on a data drive
   
 
   
 
   
  TOP: Subject advisors and circuit managers in the Free State's Xhariep region being trained on how to use data to strengthen FET Phase performance for the Class of 2026.

ABOVE:
School teams from Northern Cape’s John Taolo Gaetsewe District seen with Deputy Chief Education Specialist, Mr Kameel, learning how to analyse performance, profile subjects and profile learners on the dashboard.
 
 
     
 
   
                     
 

12 387 OFFICIALS ACTIVE ON DDD

The page most visited by all dashboard users throughout term 1 was the Reports page, which was viewed more than 66 000 times by officials across all roles and levels.

    WHAT SCHOOL OFFICIALS VIEWED

School-based users (including principals and school management teams) visited the Term-to-Date page more than 28 000 times, and the Reports page more than 34 000 times.
 

WHAT CURRICULUM OFFICIALS VIEWED

Curriculum officials visited the Reports page 22 000 times, the School Achievement page almost 13 500 times, and the overall Achievement page more than 11 000 times.
 
                     
 
     
 
         
  BEYOND THE LABEL: FROM INSIGHT TO IMPACT  
 
 

The Class of 2025 reminded us of what is possible. Learners who had been progressed into Grade 12 achieved 3 252 Bachelor passes and 1 360 distinctions, many in subjects like languages, mathematics and life sciences.

These results confirm a powerful truth: “progressed” is not a limit; it is a moment of opportunity.

What made the difference? Early, targeted support – guided by data.

You already know the importance of identifying at-risk learners. And you know that with the DDD Dashboard you can act on this insight at scale, by:

• Identifying progressed learners early in the year.
• Tracking attendance, task performance and assessment trends.
• Pinpointing subject-specific risks before they become barriers.
• Prioritising support where it will have the greatest impact.

Schools already using these insights are showing that early, data-informed action leads to better outcomes. So, as you move into the next phase of the year, ask yourself: Have I profiled my progressed learners, and planned targeted support for them?

• Log into the DDD Dashboard today.
• Identify your progressed learners.
• Plan focused support now, not later.

This is not about adding more work, it is about focusing effort where it matters most, to support both learners and the teachers working with them. Because when you look beyond the label and act early, your learners don’t just pass. They excel.

 
         
 
       
 
    FROM ONE CLICK TO A CULTURE SHIFT
 
 

What happens when an education official truly sees his school’s data for the first time? For now-retired principal, Mr Ntsheke Matjiane, that moment changed everything.

What began as a simple discovery on the DDD Dashboard became a powerful shift in how Nkotolane Primary understood performance, supported learners and led improvement. No more late nights with calculators and handwritten mark sheets, and no more guesswork. Just clear, accessible insight, from whole-school trends right down to individual learners.

The result is smarter support, stronger staff conversations, as well a school culture that values growth as much as achievement.

Even in retirement, Mr Matjiane remains a passionate advocate for data-driven leadership, proving that when data is used well, its impact lasts far beyond the moment.

Curious how one leader turned data into a lasting legacy? Click here to find out.

 
           
           
 

To share feedback on
this newsletter email:
Communication@newleaders.co.za
      For DDD technical
assistance contact:
help@dbedashboard.co.za
       
     
   
 
     
 

dbedashboard   The DDD programme is an initiative of the Department of
Basic Education, in collaboration with the Michael & Susan Dell
Foundation and New Leaders Foundation.
 
     

This email was sent to [email address suppressed]. If you are no longer interested you can unsubscribe instantly.