Hats off to the Class of 2021

Despite the challenges faced by the matric class of 2021 due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), they achieved a pass rate of 76.4%, earning the praise of President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

This is an improvement of 0.2% from the pass rate of 76.2% achieved by the class of 2020.

Announcing the results of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam results recently, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said 537 687 candidates passed the 2021 NSC exams.

“The number of candidates qualifying for admission to Bachelor studies at universities, is 256 031 – an improvement of 21.4% from 2020. This represents 36.4% of the total number of candidates who wrote the 2021 NSC exams,” the Minister added.

The number of candidates who achieved Diploma passes stood at 177 572, while 103 859 candidates achieved Higher Certificate passes.

“We must state that KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng contributed the most Bachelor passes in the combined Bachelor passes of 117 704, which is equivalent to 46.0% of the overall Bachelor passes nationally.

“It is important to note that a total of 433 603 candidates – equivalent to 61.6% who achieved Bachelor and Diploma passes, are now eligible for studies at Higher Education Institutions. The 103 859 candidates – equivalent to 14.7% - who obtained Higher Certificate passes, may register at TVET and other skills training institutions,” the Minister added.

She applauded the Class of 2021 for their achievement, saying they were most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic after enduring two years of harsh exposure to the virus and disruptions.

Minister Motshekga said that for the past 10 years, the NSC pass rates have consistently increased, from 60% in 2009, to above 70% in recent years.

President Ramaphosa also congratulated the Class of 2021 on their success.

“We applaud the multiple successes and improvements recorded by learners during the second year of challenges presented by COVID-19.

“Equally commendable is the support given to learners by educators and parents who made sacrifices of their own and placed the interests of learners ahead of their own concerns,” he said.

SAnews.gov.za