North West MEC for Education Viola Motsumi has applauded the province matriculants for obtaining 87.52% in the 2024 results, showing an increase of 5.9% achieved in 2023 to retain 4th position.
The province obtained 81.63% during the 2023 matric results.
Motsumi was speaking in Klerksdorp, during the official release of the province’s National School Certificate results.
“You will agree with me that increasing the NSC pass rate by that margin and retaining position four is no mean feat, considering the tightness of the competition among the nine provinces for at least a top three spot, which we missed by a percentage point.
It is not mere rhetoric when we say that for us, the game is never over until we win.
We are determined to do everything in our power to reach to the top three of NSC examination results league table,” said Motsumi.
According to Motsumi, this achievement didn’t happen overnight, and it’s a product of years of hard work, the power of collective effort, shared vision, numerous intervention and dedication, with firm desire for quality, over quantity.
The province registered 40 575 candidates for NSC exams and obtained a total of 7 901 distinctions in various subjects, excluding life orientation.
“The number of candidates who passed with admission to bachelor studies, has increased to 18 279, which is 45.05%.
Last year we were at 15 059, 36.36%, now we have increased, meaning that there’s quality in these results.
Admission to Diploma studies has also increased to 11 455, which is 28.23%, compared to 11 646, which was 28.12% of 2023,” explained Motsumi.
In addition, the MEC noted much improvement in the reduction of schools that perform below 70%.
Motsumi said there were 106 underperforming schools in 2022, 73 in 2023, and only 28 in 2024.
The MEC said the results are a strong sign of progress registered by the provincial education system, adding that they’ll be used as a baseline for the upcoming results to improve the province’s standing nationally.
“We stand a better chance to be either position two or three during this year’s matric results,”
There are higher possibilities even next year, we can even go as far as position one.
It was not an easy race, very tight one,” remarked Motsumi.
