WENDY MOTHATA|
THE Department of Basic Education (DBE) has announced the matric results for the 2021 cohort, with the group achieving a pass rate of 76.4%.
According to Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, this is a slight increase of 0.2% compared to the 2020 matric pass rate.
In 2020, the matric class of 2020 achieved a 76.2% pass rate.
The total number of candidates, who registered for the 2021 NSC exams was 897 163.
A total number of 733 198 were registered full-time and 163 965 candidates registered part-time.
Announcing the results, the minister said she is pleased with the results despite all the challenges the learners faced.
“The NSC pass rates have consistently been going up from 60% in 2009, to above 70% in recent years.
The Class of 2021 must be commended for maintaining this trend, despite the astronomical challenges they faced,” she said.
The pass rate represents a record of 537 687 candidates, who passed the 2021 NSC examinations, an improvement of 21.9% passes from 2020.
The number of candidates qualifying for admission to Bachelor studies at universities is 256 031, an improvement of 21.4% from 2020.
The number of candidates, who passed with a Diploma is 177 572 an improvement of 17.8% from 2020.
The number of candidates, who passed with Higher Certificates is 103 122.
Motshekga said that the 2021 academic year, will be remembered as the year that, not only presented major health challenges but as the second year in which the entire world was held to ransom by the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
“As at this stage, the Class of 2021, was the most affected by the CVOD-19 pandemic, as they had to endure two consecutive years of harsh exposure to the unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic. Government, with its Basic Education Departments and its strategic partners, worked tirelessly to strike a balance between saving lives and saving the 2021 academic year,” she said.
The Free State is the leading province at 85.7%, an improvement of 0.6% from 2020.
Gauteng achieved at 82.8%, a 1.0% decline from 2020. Western Cape achieved 81.2%, an improvement of 1.3% from 2020.
The worst performing province is Limpopo, which achieved 66.7%, a 1.5% decline from 2020.
Motshekga further thanked the parents and the teachers for the work that they do.
“In celebrating the great achievements of the Class of 2021, we must thank the principals, teachers, support staff, and parents for the work they continue to do. Schools are at the coalface of Basic Education delivery. What you do at the school level, is what matters the most. The future of our learners, and the prosperity of our nation, is in your hands. We applaud you for the great work you continue to do daily,” she added.
The minister said that those who wish to improve their results should enroll for the Second Chance Matric Programme.
Registration into the Programme, is already open, and will close on 15 February 2022.
- * Inside Education
