Higher Grade is a South African educational drama series which revolves around a teacher determined to save his failing maths and science students, who in turn have been failed by the Department of Education.
The series aims to encourage students to take up maths and science and also instill a sense of pride among teachers and teaching.
Higher Grade is set in the township of Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni, centred around the Themba Lakusasa Secondary School.
In the drama, schools in Ekurhuleni have struggled with a low matric pass rate.
In response, the Department of Education has pressured them to phase out maths and science, arguing that removing these challenging subjects will boost overall results.
This creates a conflict between raising pass rates and preserving vital subjects.
Mothusi Magano stars as Bra Sam, one of the most gifted maths and science teachers in Ekurhuleni.
Facing the threat of losing maths and science at his school, Bra Sam makes a bold commitment: he aims to raise this year's maths pass rate from 25% to 65%.
Succeeding would not only save his job but also prove to the authorities that these subjects are worth keeping, making this challenge central to the story.
Bra Sam and his pupils attempt to turn the results for mathematics and science around in order to save the subjects from being cancelled by the district.
However, in their quest, they encounter personal struggles that they must overcome, as well as powerful forces at work that are out to ensure that mathematics and science are sidelined due to personal benefits and ulterior motives.
Higher Grade is produced by Sothar Pictures with executive producer and series producer Zan Majola.
The head writers are Zaba Leroto Hlatshwayo and ZiphoZonice.
The director is Vincent Moloi.