Basic Education Committee congratulates class of 2013
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education would like to congratulate the Matric Class of 2013 on the record matric pass rate of 78.2%.
The 2012 matric pass rate was 73.9%. This is an increase of 4.3%. This is also an increase of 17.6 percentage points since 2009 (60.6%). In the past four years, the matric pass rate has been as follows: In 2009 it was 60.6%, in 2010 it was 67.8%, in 2011 it was 70.2% and in 2012 it was 73.9%.
Said Ms Hope Malgas, Committee Chairperson: “We are also pleased with the improvements in terms of key quality indicators. Specifically, we welcome the increase in the number of Bachelor’s Degree passes from 26.6% in 2012 to the current 30.6%. We also note the increases in the pass rates in the gateway subjects of Mathematics and Physical Science. These improvements will enable our learners to access critical programmes in the higher education and training sector.”
Ms Malgas further said the 2013 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results signalled great improvement and positive lessons towards an improved schooling system. She indicated that during oversight activities and presentations made to the Committee on the readiness for the NSC last year the Committee had noted the good systemic planning and interventions drawn from the lessons learnt from previous years.
The Committee further noted that the number of underperforming districts was decreasing and that there was an observable closing of the gap between schools in the upper and lower quintiles. Provinces which started at a low base a few years ago in terms of the results are showing remarkable progress. The results show that the strategic interventions introduced in the sector in recent years are beginning to bear fruit. The Department of Basic Education's target, as contained in the Action Plan 2014, was to reach an overall performance of 75% by 2014. They have exceeded that, and they have to be commended for that good performance.
“While we celebrate the 2013 matric results as the best results since the dawn of democracy in 1994, we would like to see further quality improvements in Mathematics, Science and Accounting. The pass rate in Mathematics increased from 54% or 121 970 in 2012 to 59.1% or 142 666 in 2013 as well as in Physical Science from 61.3% or 109 918 in 2012 to 67.4% or 124 206 in 2013. This is critical for the enhancement of economic growth, global competitiveness and prosperity in the country,” said Ms Malgas.
The Committee wants to see a further reduction in the number of underperforming schools that performed below 20%, as well as the reduction in the number of learners who repeat grades or drop out of the system. The increase in respect of learners qualifying for a Bachelor’s programme is also commendable. A figure of 171 755 was attained this year compared to 136 047 in 2012. This is an increase of 35 708 learners. The target set by the Department of Basic Education in its Action Plan was 175 000 (32%) in 2014.
The Committee congratulates the learners from the Free State who managed to obtain the highest pass rate per province with 87.4%. The Portfolio Committee will continue to exercise oversight on the strategy the Minister has committed to. This will be located within the broader strategic imperatives the department has set out, which are to:
- Increase the number of Grade 12 learners who pass the national examinations and eligible for a Bachelor’s Degree programme at university to 175 000 by 2014;
- Increase the number of Grade 12 learners who pass Mathematics from a 2009 baseline of 125 000 to 180 000 by 2014;
- Increase the number of Grade 12 learners who pass Physical Science; and
- Consolidate stakeholder cooperation.
Ms Malgas concluded: “We wish the Class of 2013 well as they further their studies at different institutions of higher learning. We encourage those who did not do well to never lose hope and to use all available avenues that will assist them to make it.”
Enquiries:
Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 082 560 9610
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
