The Free State will have a cohort of 44 545 candidates combined (37 583 full-time and 6 962 part-time) writing the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examination, the provincial Department of Education announced during a prayer session on Sunday, 13 October, at the Phehellang Secondary School in Parys.
Paving the way for the commencement of the examination on 21 October, the event was attended by, among others, MEC Julia Maboya and Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae. The prayer session was for Gr. 12 learners from various schools in the Fezile Dabi district.
This year’s cohort of candidates due to write the NSC examination exceeds that of last year’s 44 004 (35 653 full-time and 8 351 part-time).
“The prayer session essentially channels divine guidance, intervention, and wisdom upon these learners as they prepare for their exams, to repel any negative spiritual forces that encroach many of our learners in their quest for success. Thus, allowing them a guarded space for preparation and confidence in their abilities, so they may excel and achieve their full potential,” said Maboya.
Maboya said the province has set the target to achieve a 90% pass rate and 50% bachelor’s pass rate in this year’s exam. Last year, the Free State retained its top position nationally, with a pass rate of 89.03%. The national matric pass rate reportedly increased by 2.8% from the 80.1% pass rate in 2022.
The province had less than 10 000 learners who passed Mathematics and Physical Science, of the 30 673 learners who wrote in 2023. A total of 8 974 candidates passed Mathematics in 2023, compared to the 8 834 in 2022. Of the top 100 learners, four attained a 100% pass rate in Maths, two got 99% while the other pair received 96% and 84%.
Those who attained 100% were Kamohelo Mosikili, Mpumelelo Nhlapo, Stevens Cara, and Moalusi Semane. The pair who secured 99% are Mojalefa Mohoalali and Lara Potgieter, while Nabeel Seedat received 94% and Johannes Booysen attained 96%.
