The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has been given the go-ahead to release the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations later this week. However, the education department is being criticised for the current pass requirements.
Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane launched a petition calling for the pass mark to be raised to 50%. They explain that the 30% pass mark and the current system used to calculate whether a learner has obtained an NSC qualification is doing a disservice to learners.
In what Universe would you say a child is proficient in any subject at 30 it is a dim view on our children and it is setting them up truly for unemployment in our country
Maimane says the pass mark must be gradually increased to a point where it becomes 50%. They argue that by setting the pass mark at a low level, the entire education system is being lowered.
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga disputes that the pass mark is 30%. They explained that learners cannot achieve 30% in all their subjects and obtain an NSC examination.
Motshekga said, “All that needs to be said is that 30% is not a pass mark in this country. If a candidate gets an aggregate of 30% in all subjects written, the candidate will surely fail”.
It's important to know that learners in South Africa can achieve different NSC passes. The NSC pass achieved by learners determines which academic programmes they can access at tertiary education institutions.
Here Are The Different NSC Passes And Their Requirements
National Senior Certificate
To achieve a National Senior Certificate pass, a learner must…
- Obtain 40% for their home language
- Achieve 40% for two other subjects
Higher Certificate Pass Requirements
To achieve a Higher Certificate Pass, a learner must…
- Obtain 40% in their Home Language
- Achieve at least 40% in two other subjects
- Achieve at least 30% for three other subjects
- pass 6 out of the 7 subjects
Diploma Pass Requirements
To achieve a Diploma Pass, a learner must…
- Obtain 40% in their home language
- Achieve at least 40% in four other subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
- Achieve at least 30% for two other subjects
- Pass 6 out of 7 subjects
Bachelors’ Pass Requirements
To achieve a Bachelor’s Pass, a learner must..
- Obtain 40% in their home language
- Achieve at at least 50% in four subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
- Achieve 30% in language of learning and teaching (Additional language)
- Pass 6 out of 7 subjects
The DBE will release the final NSC results on Thursday, 19 January 2023. Candidates will receive their NSC results on Friday, 20 January 2023 at the examination venues where they wrote their examinations.
