South Africa’s 2024 matric results have been hailed as a triumph, with a record-breaking pass rate of 87.3%. However, a deeper look into the country’s education system reveals a much more concerning reality.
Only about half of the learners who started Grade 1 in 2013 reached matric to sit for the final exams.
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Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube celebrated the 87.3% pass rate, calling it a sign of progress and highlighting that 614 562 learners passed, the highest number ever recorded. Additionally, the number of students earning bachelor’s passes – those eligible for university – has risen to 47.8%, a 6.9 percentage point improvement from previous years. Over 319 000 distinctions were earned, with every province showing an increase.
Yet, the opposition party Build One South Africa (BOSA) quickly challenged the celebratory tone, arguing that the ‘real’ pass rate is significantly lower.
According to BOSA, when accounting for the nearly 500 000 students who dropped out or never made it to matric, the actual pass rate drops to just 50%. This statistic, which includes those who either left school or moved to alternative education paths like TVET colleges, paints a stark picture of South Africa’s education system.
A separate analysis by MyBroadband places the ‘real’ pass rate at around 56%, still far from ideal.
BOSA warns that the country’s youth face serious obstacles in entering the workforce, noting that fewer than 15% of matrics are expected to pursue university education. The lack of job-ready skills, coupled with global rankings that place South Africa 107th out of 141 countries in terms of workforce readiness, signals a looming crisis.
The debate also centres on South Africa’s controversial matric pass mark. While Gwarube’s department has defended the 30% minimum in some subjects, critics argue that such low thresholds dilute academic rigour and fail to prepare students for the challenges ahead. BOSA advocates for a higher minimum of 50% across all subjects, pointing out that a large number of learners pass with scores below 50%, undermining the value of their qualifications.
As South Africa grapples with its education crisis, the path forward remains uncertain. While the headlines celebrate progress, the true challenges of school dropouts, low skill levels, and a struggling job market demand urgent attention.
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Picture: SBU MFEKA / Gallo Images
