The Eastern Cape Department of Education MEC, Fundile Gade, has commended teacher unions for their significant contribution to the matric class of 2024’s achievement of an 84.9% pass rate, which is the province’s best result since 1994.
This marks a 3.56% improvement from the previous year, credited to the collaboration with teacher unions that fostered a supportive teaching and learning environment across the province.
In his speech, Gade highlighted several key improvements: the number of bachelor passes increased by 6.1%, rising from 39.6% in 2023 to 45.7% in 2024. Distinctions also saw growth, moving from 4.2% in 2023 to 5% in 2024.
Regarding home languages, Gade noted the following improvements for 2024:
- Afrikaans: from 88.5% to 92.1%
- English Home Language: from 90.1% to 94.8%
- IsiXhosa: from 99.7% to 99.9%
- SeSotho: from 99.7% to 99.9%
- Sign Language: from 75% to 85%
Gade also emphasised advancements in key gateway subjects:
- Accounting: from 76.7% to 81%
- Agricultural Sciences: from 83.9% to 89%
- Business Studies: from 81.9% to 85.6%
- Economics: from 78.3% to 81.6%
- Geography: from 87% to 88.9%
- Life Sciences: from 76.6% to 83%
- Physical Science: from 75% to 75.2%
- Mathematics: from 57.4% to 62.2%
- Mathematical Literacy: from 80.6% to 84.5%
However, Gade mentioned that History saw a slight decline from 90% in 2023 to 88.6% in 2024.
Further elaborating on the academic performance of the class of 2024, Gade noted that district performance took a positive turn with 11 districts achieving over 80%, while only one district remained in the upper 70% range.
He revealed the top five performing districts as follows:
- Chris Hani East: Ranked 1st with 88.5%, marking a 4.5% improvement from 84% in 2023.
- Amathole East: Ranked 2nd with 87.8%, showing a 5.4% improvement from 82.4% in 2023.
- Alfred Nzo West: Ranked 3rd with 86.9%, reflecting a 2.1% improvement from 84.8% in 2023.
- Nelson Mandela Bay: Ranked 4th with 86.7%, a 3.6% improvement from 83.1% in 2023.
- Nzo East: Ranked 5th with 85.9%, a 0.8% improvement from 85.1% in 2023.
“I am proud to express that no learners were left behind in getting the opportunity to sit for their NSC examinations. The key message to unsuccessful candidates is to regroup and pursue their dreams. To all the successful candidates, the Department wishes them all the best in their future endeavors and to make this province and the country proud,” he concluded.
Commenting on the Class of 2024 matric result, DA Shadow MEC for Education, Horatio Hendricks said, “We echo the sentiments of Education MEC Fundile Gade that education is the cornerstone of economic growth and development.
“The Class of 2024 has set a new benchmark, but this is only the beginning. Our province and our country must continue to work together to ensure that every learner not only passes matric but does so with quality results that open doors to future success.”
Further commenting on the national performance of the class of 2024, the Public Servants Association (PSA) congratulated the Class of 2024 on their historic academic achievement of 87.3%, the highest National Senior Certificate pass rate since 1994, and an improvement of 4.4% on 2023 results.
“These learners faced challenges and overcame struggles to become the most successful group of matriculants since the dawn of democracy.
“A total of 724,156 learners wrote the matric exams, and almost half of them achieved a bachelor pass, which serves as university entrance. The country also saw 319,000 learners earning distinctions, with every province achieving a pass rate higher than 84%.
“The PSA commends all provinces for improved matric performance in 2024,” the statement concluded.
