Matric class of 2016 shines

This is an improvement from the 70,7 percent pass rate for 2015.

With progressed learners excluded, the national pass rate stands at 76,2 percent. 

Progressed learners are learners who fail the same grade twice and are then promoted to the next grade

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga briefed the media in Midrand, Johannesburg.

“With the Class of 2016 being the largest cohort the country has ever registered, a possibility existed that learner performance could drop.  But this did not happen – thanks to the dedication and commitment of teachers, governing bodies, parents, the South African society at large, the provincial education departments, and the Class of 2016 itself for rising to the challenge,” said Motshekga.

This is how the provinces performed, with progressed learners excluded:

- Eastern Cape attained 63.3 percent, an increase of 1.1 percent from 62.2 percent in 2015;

- Limpopo attained 68.2 percent, a decline of 3.5 percent from 71.7 percent in 2015;

- KwaZulu-Natal attained 69.5 percent, an increase of 7.9 percent from 61.6 percent in 2015;

- Mpumalanga attained 81.3 percent, a decline of 0.8 percent from 82.1 percent in 2015;

- Northern Cape attained 82.2 percent, a decline of 1.8 percent from 84 percent in 2015;

- North West attained 86.2 percent, an increase of 9 percent from 77.2 percent in 2015;

- Gauteng attained 87 percent an increase of 1.1 percent from 85.9 percent in 2015;

- Western Cape attained 87.7 percent, a decline of 0.3 percent from 88 percent in 2015; and

- Free State attained 93.2 percent, an increase of 5.5 percent from 87.7 percent in 2015.  

The Free State is the only province that broke the 90% threshold.

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According to Motshekga, a total of 158 160 distinctions were achieved in 2016.  

“In the 12 key subjects (including Mathematics, Physical Science, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, among others), the total number of distinctions increased to 65 154 in 2016, from 63 348 in 2015,” said Motshekga.  

The number of distinctions attained specifically in the gateway subjects were as follows:

- 6 576 distinctions in Accounting were achieved, compared to 5 820 in 2015;

- 8 070 distinctions were achieved in Mathematics, compared to 7 791 in 2015; and

- 7 043 distinctions were achieved in Physical Science, compared to 5 903 in 2015.

Motshekga concluded by saying that much more needs to be done.

“We will be the first to concede that despite the notable improvements in the system, we are yet to cross our own Rubicon.  We must agree that much has been achieved, but much more needs to be done in the area of efficiency and quality.  We call upon all South Africans to work together with us to move the public schooling to greater heights.,” said Motshekga.