The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, revealed the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results in Johannesburg on January 13, 2025, hailed as the highest pass rate in South Africa’s history.
The national pass rate has reached an unprecedented 87.3%, up from 82.9% in 2023.
“This is the highest matric pass rate in the history of our country and should be a moment of great pride,” Minister Gwarube declared.
A total of 615,429 learners passed the NSC exams, with nearly half (47.8%) qualifying for Bachelor’s degree admission, a critical benchmark for higher education readiness.
KwaZulu-Natal led the provinces with 84,470 Bachelor passes, followed by Gauteng (66,979) and the Eastern Cape (45,662). Encouragingly, 67% of Bachelor passes came from Quintile 1 to 3 schools, which serve underprivileged communities.
A Celebration of Resilience
The Class of 2024 endured unique challenges, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during their formative high school years. Gwarube likened their perseverance to the protea, South Africa’s national flower, which thrives in adversity.
“These young men and women have proven that from the harshest conditions, greatness can bloom,” she said.
Improved Access and Inclusivity
The education system’s inclusivity and accessibility also saw improvements. A record 705,291 full-time candidates sat for the NSC exams, a notable increase from the previous year.
The number of learners with special education needs also rose, from 5,288 in 2023 to 6,470 in 2024. Additionally, 556,726 learners benefiting from social grants participated in the exams, highlighting the role of social protections in supporting education.
Challenges and Strategic Reorientation
Despite the successes, the results underscore ongoing challenges. Gwarube pointed to concerning trends in foundational learning.
Studies indicate significant underperformance in literacy and numeracy, with many learners struggling to read for meaning by Grade 4.
“These deficits accumulate, limiting learners’ abilities to excel in gateway subjects like Mathematics and Physical Sciences,” she noted.
In 2024, Mathematics pass rates improved to 69.1% (from 63.5% in 2023), but Physical Sciences saw a slight decline to 75.6% (from 76.2%).
The Minister pledged a strategic reorientation towards foundational learning, emphasizing early childhood development (ECD) and the Foundation Phase as cornerstones for long-term success.
Provincial and District Performance
The Free State emerged as the top-performing province with a pass rate of 91%, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (89.5%) and Gauteng (88.4%). The Western Cape came in fifth place, scoring an 86.6% pass rate.
District-level performance also improved, with Johannesburg West achieving the highest pass rate at 97%, followed by Fezile Dabi (93.5%) and Umkhanyakude (92.8%).
Looking ahead, the Department of Basic Education outlined key priorities:
- Expanding access to quality ECD programs to ensure universal participation by 2030.
- Enhancing teacher support and development, with a focus on literacy and numeracy in the Foundation Phase.
- Updating post-provisioning norms to accommodate the inclusion of Grade R as a compulsory level.
- Strengthening curriculum delivery with updated learning materials and ensuring teaching and learning time is protected.
Gwarube has emphasized that education is a shared societal responsibility.
“When society invests collectively in education, it fosters greater equity and inclusivity,” she stated, urging stakeholders—from parents and educators to businesses and civil society—to collaborate in building a robust education system.
In closing, she celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2024, acknowledging their resilience and hard work.
“You carry the hopes and aspirations of an entire nation,” she said, reaffirming her commitment to advancing the transformative power of education to uplift individuals, families, and communities across South Africa.
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