Eastern Cape premier Noxolo Kiviet found no pupils at a school she paid a surprise pre-matric visit to on Wednesday, provincial government spokesperson Tobile Gowa said.

"A hour went by, with out any signs of learners at the school and teachers had to go to the village to look for the learners," said Gowa of Imidushane High School, where nobody passed last year.

"While waiting for the learners, premier Kiviet questioned parents, teachers and the officials of the department of education about what was happening at the school.

"The blame game began with parents blaming the department and teachers blaming parents about the dire state of affairs at the school."

Kiviet blamed it on a lack of leadership saying: "If you have learners who jump fences during school hours and teachers who come to school at 9am or 10am everyday what do you think will come out of this school?"

Leadership was urgently needed at the school which she said had good resources like computers and electricity.

She asked the education department to investigate and to submit a report by 4 November.

Kiviet said the 22 matric pupils felt they were ready to write their final exams and "I trust that they will do well".