The annual highlight of the South African educational system is surely the announcement of the matric results. It crowns the part of everyone’s career that begins when you start school at six and, hopefully, ends with matric, or the National Senior Certificate (NSC). For a record 87,3% of candidates it was a success story and they can celebrate. Some of the remaining 12,7% may be just one or two percent shy in one or two subjects. Go write the supplementary exams and get your matric!
In theory, matric is a qualification that prepares one for further studies – and not the workplace. It, however, marks the end of formal studies for most matriculants and that is why it is such a highlight.
The FF Plus heartily congratulates every successful matriculant. Those who sadly did not make it should not see it as a reason to give up. There are supplementary exams and, if necessary, it might even be worth it to redo the relevant subjects and take the exams again at the end of next year.
The average pass rate is 87,7% and with the best performance in the country, KwaZulu-Natal should be proud. More importantly, all provinces achieved more than 84%, which points to a systemwide and countrywide improvement.
The value of the NSC lies in the fact that it is thoroughly standardised. Umalusi compiles it with care and expertise. So, a distinction is a distinction, and a pass is a pass, regardless of which school, which area and which assessment body is involved.
It is crucial for people to understand the NSC seeing as it plays a significant role in employment and other selection processes. The certificate will indicate whether the candidate passed with admission to degree, diploma or higher certificate studies. So, all matric certificates are not equal.
The class of 2024 will be the last group to wright the matric exams before the BELA Act comes into effect. The Department of Basic Education is responsible for more than 800 000 candidates’ examination, while the two independent assessment bodies, namely the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), assessed more than 16 000 and nearly 6 000 candidates, respectively.
Clearly, independent education is still very limited, but that may very well change in response to BELA. Whereas the IEB is mainly focused on independent schools, SACAI offers a home for many non-conventional educational institutions – 88% completed their scholastic careers through distance learning.
IEB and SACAI achieving a pass rate of 98,47% and 73,9%, respectively, demonstrates exceptional commitment under very different circumstances. As the Department of Basic Education’s grip on public schools tightens, these two institutions could expect to see their numbers climb.
The Department of Higher Education also has a role to play. The Department is responsible for the National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)), which prepares candidates for a career. With a pass rate of NC(V) 4 (equivalent to matric), it seems a lot of work still needs to be done. There were also more irregularities than at ordinary schools.
But first, it is time to congratulate and celebrate and greet the future with starry eyes.
