When matric results are released, learners hope for a Bachelor's Pass, especially those who have applied to universities.
A bachelor’s pass means learners can apply for a degree course at a university or university of technology, and can study for a higher certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree.
While many Grade 12 learners have been able to reach this goal, South Africa's matric pass rate has long been an area of concern where the Department of Basic Education (DBE) wants to make an improvement.
2022 saw a 3.7% improvement in the matric pass rate, when compared to 2021's figures.
At the time, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, revealed that there was a 4.1% increase in Bachelor passes, 197 357 diploma passes, 108 159 higher certificate passes and 117 NSC endorsements.
Increasing the number of Bachelor-level passes forms part of government and its Departments efforts in working towards the 2030 National Development Plan (NDP).
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) plans to increase the number of grade 12 learners obtaining Bachelor-level passes in the NSC examinations by 2024.
According to the department, the baseline for Bachelor-level passes in the NSC exams was 172 043 (33.6%) in 2018. They plan to increase this over a 5-year target, with hopes that the baseline for bachelor-level passes stands at 190,000 passes by the 2024 academic year.
By 2030, South Africans should have access to education and training of the highest quality, leading to significantly improved learners’ outcomes. The performance of South African learners in international standardised tests, should be comparable to the performance of learners from countries at a similar level of development, and with similar levels of access.
To achieve a bachelor’s pass, matric candidates must:
- Pass 6 of the 7 subjects offered;
- At least 50% in four subjects
- At least 40% in Home Language
- At least 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT)
- At least 30% for one other subject
Furthermore, the Department also noted its plans to increase the number of matric learners obtaining 60% and above in Mathematics by 2024.
In 2018, the number of learners passing Mathematics at 60% and above was 28 151 (12%), by the 2024 academic year, the target is to get this total to 35,000 learners passing Mathematics at 60% and above.
