The Free State celebrated another significant achievement in its matric 2023 results, with a pass rate of 89,03% and more bachelor passes and distinctions than ever before.
The national matric pass rate reportedly increased by 2,8 % from the 80,1 % pass rate in 2022, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced on Thursday, 18 January.
The province celebrated the top 100 achievers, schools and learners at a ceremony held on the Bloemfontein campus of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, on Friday.
They were honoured by the MEC for Education, Makalo Mohale, who took over in March following the passing of long-serving MEC Tate Makgoe.
Mohale stated that the 2023 matric learners attained unprecedented pass rates since the inception of National Senior Certificate (NSC) in 2008.
“This class like its predecessors suffered the impact of Covid-19 which resulted in trimmed Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs) in their critical years of Gr. 9 and Gr. 10 and an amended section 4 of CAPS and amended examinations guidelines. They have demonstrated resilience, strength of character and tenacity to overcome all odds bedevilling their prospect for scholastic success,” said Mohale.
The Free State attained overall 15 414 bachelors’ and 10 282 diploma passes in 2023.
“This represents 44,7 % bachelors passes,” said Mohale.
The number of full-time candidates who wrote the examinations last year was 35 634, lower than the 2022 number 37 967. The decrease is 2 333 candidates of the previous year. Mohale credited teachers who ensured the learners excel.
“In their quest against load shedding, some teachers developed an innovative way of teaching – making sure they use their teaching time during the day and when the lights were on optimally. They make copies of lessons which the learners can use during power outages.
“They used WhatsApp messages to communicate and elucidate some concepts for learners. I take this opportunity to thank our teachers, principals, and parents for putting the interest of the learners first,” said Mohale.
He added describing the top grade 12 learners as true ambassadors of public schooling.
“They represent the entire basic education system on their shoulders and represent the hopes and aspirations of their schools, families’ and communities. The teachers did their outmost best,” he said.
“We’re encouraged by notable resilience of our basic education system. The stellar performance of the class of 2023 is a result of systemic interventions for strengthening and raising performance at all levels of the system.
“These interventions include but not limited to five days December camp in Gr. 12, weekend classes, vacation support program, and provision of learning support materials in addition to textbooks”.
The Free State has obtained the first position seven times in the last ten years and four consecutive years. The years are as follow: 2019 – (88,4 %), 2020 (85,1 %), 2021 (85,7 %), 2022 (88,5 %) and 2023 (89,0 %).
The overall top achiever was Kamohelo Mosikili, a learner of the Selelekela Secondary School in Qwaqwa.
He obtained distinctions in all subjects and three 100 % in major mathematics, geography and physical science.
In second place was Lara Potgieter of Hoër Meisieskool Oranje. She obtained 99% in mathematics and accounting and 96% in physical science.
