Historic achievement: Matric Class of 2023 hits record pass rate

The Matric Class of 2023 has accomplished a remarkable feat, achieving a record breaking pass rate of 82.9%, the highest in the history of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, as reported by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

More than 890,000 full-time and part-time candidates participated in the matric exams administered by the DBE at the end of 2023, contributing to this significant milestone.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, during the release of the 2023 National Senior Certificate examination results, announced that 572,983 candidates successfully passed the exams. She highlighted the uniqueness of this achievement, stating, “When expressed as a percentage, the pass rate of the 2023 NSC exams is the highest in the history of the NSC so far.”

Motshekga acknowledged the improvement in the education sector over the past decade, citing Grade 12 learners achieving an 80.1% pass rate in 2022 and 76.4% in 2021.

Provincial Rankings:

The provincial rankings for the 2023 results are as follows:

• Free State leads with an impressive 89.0%, a 0.5% increase from 2022.
• KwaZulu-Natal, the third most improved province, achieved 86.4%, a 3.4% increase from 2022.
• Gauteng attained an 85.4% pass rate, marking a 1.0% increase from 2022.
• North West achieved 81.6%, a notable 1.8% improvement from 2022.
• Western Cape achieved 81.5%, showing a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
• The Eastern Cape is the second most improved province, achieving a pass rate of 81.4%, a 4.1% improvement from the previous year.
• Limpopo is the most improved province, achieving 79.5%, a substantial 7.4% improvement from the previous year.
• Mpumalanga achieved 77.0%, a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
• Northern Cape achieved 75.8%, a 1.6% increase from 2022.

Achievements:

The Class of 2023 not only secured the highest overall pass rate but also achieved the highest Bachelor passes in NSC history, with 40.9% of candidates attaining this qualification.

Diploma level passes stood at 27.2%, while Higher Certificates were earned by 14.8% of candidates. Those who passed with a National Senior Certificate made up 0.01%.

Additionally, Minister Motshekga praised the Class of 2023 for overcoming challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during their high school years, and commended the resilience demonstrated by the school community in the face of various adversities.

With KwaZulu-Natal achieving an 86.4% pass rate, local schools in Newcastle displayed impressive performances:

Newcastle:

• Amajuba High School achieved a 97.1% pass rate.
• Ferrum High School secured a pass rate of 98.3%.
• Hope High School saw a pass rate of 95.9%.
• Islamic College Newcastle achieved a 100% pass rate.
• Lincoln Heights Secondary School obtained a pass rate of 77.8%.
• Newcastle High School secured a pass rate of 96%.
• Panorama Combined School achieved a pass rate of 76.3%.
• St Oswald’s obtained a pass rate of 91.4%.
• St Dominics Newcastle achieved a 100% IEB (Independent Examinations Board) pass rate.

Madadeni:

• Amadada High School achieved a 78.5% pass rate.
• AmaZulu High School achieved an 85.3% pass rate.
• Bethamoya High secured an 87.1% pass rate.
• Dedangifunde High School obtained a pass rate of 93.7%.
• Hlalanathi High School achieved a pass rate of 80.2%.
• Ikhwezi High School secured an 85.6% pass rate.
• Isikhaliusezwe High School obtained a pass rate of 74.6%.
• Mdumiseni High School secured a pass rate of 94.6%.

Osizweni:

• Buhlebomzinyathi succeeded in achieving an 81.6% pass rate.
• Cacamezela Secondary School secured a pass rate of 88.6%.
• Indonsa Secondary School achieved a pass rate of 85.2%.
• Masihanbisane Secondary School secured a pass rate of 92%.
• Mlondolozi High School achieved a pass rate of 97.7%.
• Muzokhanyayo Secondary School achieved a pass rate of 97.5%.
• Osizweni High School secured a pass rate of 73.8%.

To view the full list of schools for the 2023 NSC Exam results, click here—>NSC SPR

Newcastillian News extends heartfelt congratulations to the matriculants who successfully passed their National Senior Certificates and are now poised to embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Readers are invited to share their thoughts on this achievement in the comment section below.