The matric class of 2024 achieved a pass rate of 87.3%, which is a 4.4% increase on last year’s pass rate and the highest matric pass rate ever recorded in South Africa’s history.
During the 2024 matric results announcement, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube described the performance of matriculants in the 2024 matric exams as a moment of great pride.
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.
Increase In Bachelors Passes Recorded By Matriculants
The increase in the number of learners passing their matric exams was not the only increase celebrated by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
The number of learners who achieved a bachelor's pass increased by 5.6 percentage points to 47.8%, the highest bachelor's pass rate achieved by the DBE.
In South Africa, a Bachelor's Pass is the highest level of achievement a learner can earn in the matric exams. A Bachelor’s pass indicates that the learner has met the academic requirements to gain provisional admission to study a bachelor's degree programme at a university.
The percentage of learners achieving a bachelor's pass is also a barometer of the quality of passes.
Calls For Learners To Consider Pursue Careers In STEM
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande congratulated the matric class of 2024. However, the minister stressed the need for learners to pursue careers in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
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.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is working with the DBE to address challenges in the basic education sector and increase the number of learners who can pursue careers in STEM.
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.
Several ]initiatives are being implemented by the DSTI to encourage participation in STEM among school learners.
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.
