IMG 20250113 WA0010

South Africa Celebrates Highest Matric Pass Rate in History

GENERAL NEWSHEADLINESNEWSTOP STORIES
South Africa Celebrates Highest Matric Pass Rate in History

The top 39 matriculants from across South Africa were honored by the Department of Basic Education in a special celebratory event, (Photo credits: Department of Basic Education)

The release of the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results marked a proud moment for South Africa, as Minister of Basic Education Ms. Siviwe Gwarube announced a record-breaking 87.3% matric pass rate. Speaking at the Mosaic Church in Johannesburg on January 13, 2025, the Minister highlighted this achievement as the highest in the nation’s history, showcasing the resilience and hard work of learners, teachers, and education stakeholders.

Minister Gwarube reflected on South Africa’s progress since the end of apartheid, emphasising the transformation of the education system to one that promotes equity and inclusivity. She honored past education leaders, including Professor Sibusiso Bengu, the first Minister of Education in democratic South Africa, whose policies laid the foundation for the current system.

The Minister reiterated Nelson Mandela’s famous words, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” and committed to ensuring universal access to quality education for all learners.

IMG 20250113 WA0008

Minister of Basic Education Ms. Siviwe Gwarube announcing a record-breaking 87.3% matric
pass rate, (Photo credits: Department of Basic Education )

The Class of 2024, which faced the disruptions of the
COVID-19 pandemic during their Grade 8 and 9 years, showed remarkable determination:
• National Pass Rate: Increased from 82.9% in 2023 to 87.3% in 2024.
• Throughput Rate: 63% of learners progressed from Grade 10 to matric, aligning with global standards.
• Bachelor Passes: Approximately 67% of Bachelor passes came from Quintile 1 to 3 schools, reflecting progress in disadvantaged communities.
• Distinctions: Over 319,000 distinctions were achieved, a significant increase from the previous year.
 
All provinces improved their results, with several achieving pass rates above 85%:
• Free State: 91.0% (best-performing province).
• KwaZulu-Natal: 89.5%.
• Gauteng: 88.4%.
• North-West: 87.5%.
• Western Cape: 86.6%.

The Northern Cape, the most improved province, surged by 8.3% to achieve an 84.2% pass rate.
 
While celebrating these milestones, Minister Gwarube
addressed ongoing challenges, including:
• Foundational Learning: Many learners struggle with
literacy and numeracy, as shown in studies like TIMSS and SEACMEQ.
• Subject Decline: Enrollments in critical subjects such as Maths, Science, and Accounting are decreasing, impacting South Africa’s development in science and innovation.



The Minister pledged to focus on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and foundational education to strengthen learning outcomes and encourage
more students to excel in gateway subjects.

The Minister highlighted several positive trends:
• Gender Performance: Girls outperformed boys in Bachelor passes, signaling progress in closing gender gaps in education.
• No-Fee Schools: Pass rates improved from 81% in 2023 to 85.8% in 2024, showcasing the success of interventions in disadvantaged schools.
• District Success: Johannesburg West led the districts with a 97% pass rate, followed by Fezile Dabi (93.5%) and Umkhanyakude (92.8%).

Minister Gwarube likened the Class of 2024 to South Africa’s national flower, the protea, which thrives in adversity. Despite challenges such as COVID-19 disruptions, budget constraints, and social issues like violence in schools, the learners demonstrated resilience and determination.

The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to all stakeholders, including educators, district directors, parents, and learners, for their contributions to the success of the 2024 academic year. She encouraged South Africans to celebrate this historic achievement while continuing to address the challenges that remain.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *