Gauteng achieves second highest NSC bachelor passes

The Gauteng matric class of 2024 achieved the second highest number of bachelor passes.

The Basic Education Minister, Nosiviwe Gwarube, revealed this while announcing the country’s national matric pass rate in Johannesburg.

According to Gwarube, 66 979 Gauteng learners achieved bachelor passes, which makes them eligible to apply for a degree course at a university of their choice.

Almost half (47.8%) of the 2024 matriculants, nationally, qualify for a bachelor’s degree programme admission – an improvement from last year’s 40.9%.

Gwarube also announced that the class of 2024 has achieved an increase of over 65 000 distinctions, totalling to an impressive 319 651 distinctions obtained.

The Gauteng province accounts for 5.3% of the 2024 overall distinctions obtained, with Kwa-Zulu Natal leading at 10.8%.

The country’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate for 2024 has increased to 87.3% from 2023’s 82.9%.

It’s been hailed as the country’s highest pass rate recorded in democratic South Africa, thus far.

Gauteng currently sits at third place compared to other provinces with a 88.4% National Senior Certificate pass rate, from last year’s 85.4%.

The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) achieved its highest pass rate in five years.

Ninety-eight point 45% of private school matriculants passed their exams.

The YNews desk managed to speak to some top performing learners from Dainfern and St. John’s colleges, who shared their thoughts on how they managed to maintain focus during the 2024 exam season.

Gregory Pryce from St. Johns College achieved a 92% average.

He says he prioritised breaks while studying.

“To stay focused during the 2024 exam season I would regularly exercise and also try my best to stay out of my room. When I wasn’t studying and really prioritising breaks,” says Pryce.

” I am very chuffed about how well I have done.”

Zac Erasmus obtained 9 distinctions with an average of 95%.

“Two things were big for me to stay focused. One is not sacrificing any of my extra-curricular activities, which I enjoyed throughout my college career. I am also a big advocate for listening to music while studying, it makes studying fun,” adds Erasmus.

“I was quite pleased with my results.”

The head prefects from Dainfern College shared their sentiments.

“I am super happy with my results, and I think also with the fact that wait is over. It feels good not be anxious anymore and to finally see what we got. I am very pleased with my results it’s good to know that my hard work paid off so I’m very proud of myself,” Erin Tomlinson, who is the 2024 Head Girl of the school, told YNews.

Head boy, Joel Willemse who obtained seven distinctions, is also excited about his results.

“As of now, I’m very excited about my marks. One thing that motivated me during exams is that the degree I want to pursue is very difficult to get into and throughout the exams I was constantly thinking if I work hard enough it will increase my chances of getting into this degree. So that allowed me to keep my head up and focus,” says Willemse.

Minister Gwarube praised the learners, who began their high school journey at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and had to catch up on lost time when physical classes resumed.

She likened them to the national flower, the Protea, which is courageous, resilient and thrives even in extreme climate conditions.

Basic Education Director-General, Mathanzima Mweli, on the other hand revealed that 2.63% of grade 12 pupils did not sit for their 2024 matric exams, highlighting ongoing obstacles to teaching and learning.

He urged communities to better support learners, so they are encouraged to write. Written by Odirile Rabolao