The Gauteng Provincial Government is celebrating a notable triumph in its aggressive educational overhaul, significantly contributing to a surge in the province’s Class of 2024 National Senior Certificate Examination pass rate. This year, Gauteng boasts an impressive 83.41 percent pass rate, reflecting a 3 percent increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the province has excelled in achieving exceptionally high distinctions, now standing second only to KwaZulu-Natal.
Announcing the results earlier this week, Education MEC Matome Chiloane emphasised the province’s commitment to reshaping its educational landscape to meet the demands of a changing economy. Premier Panyaza Lesufi echoed this sentiment during the results ceremony, highlighting the necessity of reinventing the education system to better align it with economic needs.
“We took a gamble that we would change but at the same time remain competitive,” said Premier Lesufi. “The first decision we took was to modernise our schools.” He went on to detail an ambitious plan to upgrade educational facilities, stating, “Gone are the days when a desk would remain in the same condition as when you left it. We are building quality schools with comprehensive amenities, including laboratories and libraries.” Lesufi also pointed out that Gauteng is unique in its efforts, claiming, “We remain the only province that has built primary schools equipped with laboratories and libraries.”
Another cornerstone of the province’s educational reform is the introduction of specialised schools. With over 35 schools now focusing on specific vocations, the average pass rate for these institutions exceeds 70 percent. “Every school must specialise,” declared Lesufi, asserting that Gauteng is adapting its educational offerings to reflect the economic strengths of different regions. “If there’s an area that produces cars, there must be a school dedicated to automotive engineering. If we have budding aviation sectors, we will have specialised aviation schools.”