In 2022, a total number of 278 814 candidates achieved Bachelor’s passes, with pass rate improvements seen across all nine provinces.
The number of Bachelors passes attained last year was the highest in the history of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations in the country.
However, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) plans to increase the number of grade 12 learners obtaining Bachelor-level passes in the NSC examinations by 2024.
According to the department the baseline for Bachelor-level passes in the NSC exams was 172 043 (33.6%) in 2018. They plan to increase this over a 5-year target, with hopes that the baseline for bachelor-level passes stands at 190 000 passes by the 2024 academic year.
Increasing the number of bachelor-level passes forms part of the government and departments efforts in working towards the 2030 National Development Plan (NDP).
By 2030, South Africans should have access to education and training of the highest quality, leading to significantly improved learners’ outcomes. The performance of South African learners in international standardised tests, should be comparable to the performance of learners from countries at a similar level of development, and with similar levels of access.
The department has put additional measures and plans in place in order to achieve this. The DBE explained, "Improved system of policies, including the curriculum and assessment, governing the basic education sector to advance a quality and inclusive, safe and healthy basic education system."
Achieving a Bachelor’s Pass
A bachelor’s pass means you can apply for a degree course at a university or university of technology and can study for a higher certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree.
However, it is important to note that even if a student has achieved a bachelor’s pass, they do not automatically qualify for admission at a university.
To achieve a bachelor’s pass, matric candidates must:
- Pass 6 of the 7 subjects offered;
- At least 50% in four subjects
- At least 40% in Home Language
- At least 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT)
- At least 30% for one other subject
Furthermore, the department also noted it plans to Increase the number of matric learners obtaining 60% and above in Mathematics by 2024.
In 2018, the number of learners passing Mathematics at 60% and above was 28 151 (12%), by the 2024 academic year the target is to get this total to 35 000 learners passing Mathematics at 60% and above.
