Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schafer says she is absolutely delighted with the results of the Matric Class of 2021 in the Western Cape. The provincial pass rate was announced by Minister Angie Motshekga as 81.2% – an increase of 1.3 percentage points from last year.

Considering that this was achieved after two years of a global pandemic, makes it even more remarkable. The Class of 2021 has had a tough two years. Their Grade 11 year in 2020 was marred by school closures, with their Grade going back to class later than many others. However, their matric year has been very stable, with more time in class than in other matric years. Our schools, districts and Head Office have put in extensive time and effort to prepare these candidates, from providing extra classes in the afternoons and on weekends, extra revision materials, online revision support, and a host of other measures. The results speak for themselves.

• The province’s retention rate from Grade 10 to 12 (those actually writing the NSC) has increased by 3.7 percentage points to 70.3%.
• The WC also achieved its highest ever percentage of Bachelors passes, at 45.3% – the highest in the country!
• In Mathematics, the province’s pass rate increased to 72.4% (+1.6 percentage points) and in Science increased to 77.1% (+2.2 percentage points).
• The WC also has two districts in the top ten in the country! This is the second year that Metro North Education District (MNED) is on the list, and it is now joined by Eden and Central Karoo Education District (ECKED).

TOP LEARNERS FOR MATHEMATICS

• Ziyaad Banderker (Rondebosch Boys’ High School)
• Anna Christina Kriel (Rhenish Girls’ High School)
• Ruan Hermann Buhr (Paul Roos Gimnasium)

TOP LEARNERS IN QUINTILE 5

1. Ulrich le Roux (Hoer Jongeskool Paarl) – national top learner

2. Simone Wessels (Stellenberg HS)

3. Ahyoung Moon (Rhenish Girls’ High)

To the Class of 2022: the way has been paved for you to succeed even as the pandemic continues. We will support you to the fullest, but it is up to you to work hard and focus on your future this year. We know that you can make us just as proud as the Class of 2021 has done.

Learners can collect their results from their schools from midday tomorrow, 21 January 2022, at 11h00. They will also be available on the WCED website:

https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/