The class of 2015 is the 8th group of learners to read for their National Senior Certificate (NSC). Matric results for the year 2015 were released January 5th 2016, preceded by the release of results, the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga broke down the stats per province at a press conference in Midrand, which was televised. With the Western Cape province boasting impressive numbers, standing at 84.7% pass rate for the National Senior Certificate.
In the past, before the age of Twitter and social media, we’d see coverage of these results with students rising early an embarking to newsstands around South Africa to see if their names had appeared on the paper. Followed by various news reports, covering students with euphoric screams and jubilant faces – fast forward to 2016, and we see hashtags dedicated to matrics’ entering varsity on how to ‘survive’. Yet what happens to the portion that doesn’t make it to university, or the portion that doesn’t pass matric. What avenues and alternatives has the country created for them? Bearing in mind, as per News24 report, that ‘it takes an estimated 3-5 years to get the pass rate on an upward trend due to the changes in the education system’.
Speaking further on this matter, in a Mail & Guardian article, it is reported that the 2015 matric results have dropped to 70.7%, in contrast to 75.8% circa 2014.
Highlights
The Minister also indicated, that 2015 had the highest number of students enrolled for the examinations, in contrast to past years. Also telling of the distinctions between private and non-private schools, was the pass rate achieved by IEB schools, a staggering 98.3% – which sparked debate about the quality of education rendered in non-IEB schools.
With the current focus now shifted on institutions of higher learning and the call for ‘free education’ #FeesMustFall; #NationalShutDown it is a most interesting yet volatile time for the country’s future leaders. Children are indeed the future, especially now that they’ve left school. Looking at the meaningful contribution they may bring through skills, vocational learning, contribute to workforce, launch start-ups etc.
Solutions
A call has been made to focus on the 3 lowest performing provinces: the Eastern Cape; Limpopo & Kwa-Zulu Natal, which also make up the bulk of students enrolled for matric 2015, more intensive learning or added support from stakeholders is needed.
Further reading
For the stats on the link between poverty and education, visit the StatsSA link: ‘Education: A roadmap out of poverty’
*Sources Mail & Guardian ‘Matric results 2015: Pass rate drops to 70.7%’
News24 ‘2015 matric results in numbers’
