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Engaging, Educating and Empowering Communities
Vol. 11 Issue #1: 12-26 January 2024
Est.2013
Matric Class of 2023 set the highest rate achieved at 82.9%
The Matric Class of 2023 have achieved a pass rate of 82.9% - the highest pass rate in the history of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
aminations. The Class of 2023's achievement is an improvement of 2.8% and 6.5% from the pass rates achieved by the Classes of 2022 and 2021, respectively,” the Minister said.
More than 890 000 full-time and part-time candidates sat for the matric exams administered by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) at the end of 2023. At the release of the 2023 National Senior Certificate examination results on Thursday (January 18), Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said 572 983 candidates passed the 2023 NSC exams.
The Minister commended the improvement of the education sector over the past 10 years, with Grade 12 learners notably achieving an 80.1% pass rate in 2022, and 76.4% in 2021. The provincial rankings for the 2023 results are as follows: • Free State is the leading province at 89.0%, an increase of 0.5% from 2022. • KwaZulu-Natal, which is the third best improved province, achieved 86.4%, an increase of 3.4% from 2022. • Gauteng achieved at 85.4%, an increase of 1.0% from 2022. • North West achieved at 81.6%, an increase of 1.8% from 2022. • Western Cape achieved 81.5%, an increase of 0.1%from the previous year. • The Eastern Cape is the second most improved province, with a pass rate of 81.4%, an
“It should be noted that while the pass rate of the 2023 NSC exams in number is the second highest in the history of the NSC exams, when expressed as a percentage, the pass rate of the 2023 NSC exams is the highest in the history of the NSC so far. This represents 572 983 candidates who passed the 2023 NSC exams. “When expressed in number, it is the second highest pass rate in the history of the NSC ex-
improvement of 4.1% from the previous year. • The best improved province is Limpopo, with an achievement of 79.5%, a 7.4% improvement from the previous year. • Mpumalanga achieved at 77.0%, a 0.2% increase from the previous year. • Northern Cape achieved at 75.8%, a 1.6% increase from 2022. The Class of 2023 also scored the highest Bachelor passes – which allow candidates to apply for university Bachelor’s degree studies – in the history of the NSC, with 40.9% of candidates attaining that achievement. Diploma level passes stand at some 27.2% of candidates. Higher Certificates are at 14.8%, while those who passed with a National Senior Certificate stands at 0.01%. Motshekga praised the Class of 2023 for defying what she called “astronomical challenges” – including the COVID-19 pandemic during their high school years - to reach the milestone. - MAPEPEZA REPORTER
Finance and e-Government MEC Mzi Khumalo joined the Back-to-School Programme at Ratanda High School, providing school uniforms to less privileged learners and emphasising academic excellence. MEC Khumalo highlighted the importance of education, stating, "You must be the generation of job creators and not job seekers so that you can uplift the Nation; therefore, take your education seriously." He also visited the Tholimfundo Early Childhood Development Centre, where he provided the APNs to enhance internet connectivity and elevate the school's educational capabilities. MEC Khumalo’s visit is one of Gauteng’s Back-to-School programme on the first day of the academic year. REPORTED BY NQOBILE KHUMALO
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