Western Cape Education MEC pleased with 2020 NSC matric results, despite 2.4% drop

Western Cape Education MEC, Debbie Schäfer says she is pleased with the province’s matric results, despite a 2.4% decline.

Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, announced an overall 76.2% pass rate for the Class of 2020 on Monday. This is a decline of 5.1% from the previous year.

The Free State is the top-performing province for the Class of 2020 at 85.1%, followed by Gauteng at 83.8% and the Western Cape which achieved third place with 79.9%.

‘’While all provinces saw their pass rates decline – an understandable outcome during a pandemic that severely disrupted schooling around the world – I am pleased to report that our pass rate has suffered the least of any of the provinces.’’ Said Schäfer

‘’While we have seen a decline in the ‘pass rate’, there are many things to celebrate.  Despite the lockdown, the disruption to the school calendar, and the uncertainty throughout the year, we have seen that the quality of our matric passes has once again improved, as has the overall retention rate from Grade 10.’’ Added Schäfer

The number and percentage of bachelor’s passes has also increased in the Western Cape, to the province’s highest level ever, of 43.8%. 22 634 of the 51 633 candidates that wrote in the Western Cape achieved a Bachelor pass.

‘’The Western Cape continues to ensure that more of our learners from Grade 10 go on to write their matric exams two years later. 66.6% of our learners from Grade 10 in 2018 wrote their matric this year – the highest proportion in the country. This has increased steadily over the past two years.‘’ said Schäfer.

The province saw increases in both the Mathematics (70.8%) and Mathematical Literacy (82.9%) pass rates, as well the Western Cape boasting the top two candidates in Mathematics, nationally, for the second consecutive year.

PICTURE: WCED - Education MEC with province's top achievers

FROM LEFT:

2nd place in Quintile 3: Ayabukwa Nombela (Manzomthombo SS)

1st place in Mathematics: Daniel Alwyn Gouws (Hermanus HS)

2nd place in Mathematics: Veren Naidoo (Rondebosch Boys HS)

3rd place in Quintile 5 and Nationally: Sonica Roux (Outeniqua HS

Special Ministerial Award: Sonja Jamima Jonkers (Jan Kriel School)

Far right: Western Cape Education MEC, Debbie Schäfer

Done By: Mitchum George