The Department of Basic Education has unveiled the final results of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations for the 2024 matric cohort, revealing a remarkable pass rate of 87.3%. This increase of 4.4 percentage points from 2023 marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s educational landscape.
In an address to the nation on 13 January 2025, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Dwarube emphasised that while the matric pass rate serves as a strong indicator of progress within the education system, it is not the sole measure of success. “The rise in pass rates reflects our continuous efforts to enhance educational standards and outcomes, but we must consider other vital aspects of our education system,” Dwarube stated.
This year saw more than 615,000 learners successfully passing their exams, the highest number since the inception of the NSC. Over the past decade, South Africa’s matric pass rates have consistently improved, rising from a mere 60% in 2009 to surpassing 80% in recent years. The class of 2024 has maintained this upward momentum, following last year’s pass rate of 82.9%, which was previously hailed as the highest since the advent of democracy.
According to the department’s statistics, a total of 724,311 learners registered for the NSC examination, with 705,291 actively participating. Within these results, the number of learners achieving Bachelor passes soared by an impressive 6.9 percentage points, rising to 47.8% (337,158 matriculants) compared to 40.9% in 2023. The increased number of Bachelor passes represents not only individual achievement but also a significant boost to the country’s higher education prospects.
Furthermore, a remarkable total of over 319,000 distinctions were awarded to learners across the country, with every province reporting an increase in their number of achievements. KwaZulu Natal emerged as a leader not only in the total number of distinctions but also for securing the highest count of Bachelor’s passes.
The Minister acknowledged the hard work and dedication of both learners and educators, stating, “All provinces have demonstrated improvement, with each achieving above 84%. This is a collective achievement that we should all celebrate.”
