The Class of 2024 achieved a historic milestone with a national matriculation pass rate of 87.3%, a significant 4.4% increase from the previous year. This marks the highest pass rate in South African history, a cause for celebration according to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube:
This is the highest matric pass rate in the history of our country and should be a moment of great pride and celebration for us all.
Bachelor's Passes Reach New High
The success extends beyond the overall pass rate. The number of learners achieving a Bachelor's Pass – the highest level of achievement in the matric exams, signifying university entrance eligibility – surged by 5.6 percentage points to 47.8%.
The percentage of learners achieving a bachelor's pass is also a barometer of the quality of passes
Call for Increased STEM Focus
While celebrating the achievements, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande emphasized the critical need for increased focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields:
Our nation requires a massive and sustained growth in the production of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates if we are to forge a technology-led future.
Boosting STEM Interest
The Department of Science and Technology (DSTI) is actively working with the Department of Basic Education to address challenges in STEM education and encourage learner participation.
"We are currently implementing a number of extra-curricular and non-formal activities in the basic education sector, the main objective of which is to excite learners about maths and science and contribute towards improved learner performance in maths and science," Minister Nzimande stated.
This includes the National Science Week which aims to spark interest in science among learners.
This is a national week-long science awareness and engagement programme, which engages thousands of learners in all provinces in a variety of informative and exciting science awareness activities.
The DSTI is also increasing career guidance among learners by providing a comprehensive set of resources, including a career guide and manuals for learners to explore careers in Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET). These resources are also accessible online.
The department hosts STEMI Olympiads and fairs, including the South African Mathematics Olympiad, to identify and nurture talented learners.
In 2023, more than 77 000 (seventy-seven thousand) learners participated in the South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO). SAMO is a science engagement activity that focuses on high school learners. In 2024, more than 84 000 (eighty-four thousand) primary school learners participated in the South African Mathematics Challenge