Central SA
Matric results: Free State achieves staggering 91% pass rate─── ZENANDE MPAME 09:23 Tue, 14 Jan 2025
The Free State was declared the country’s top-performing province with its 91% pass rate at the announcement of the matric pass rate on Monday (13/1).
Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube also announced that the Free State’s Fezile Dabi district performed excellently, with a 93.5% pass percentage, ranking it second among the nation's best-performing districts.
With Johannesburg West in Gauteng leading at 97% and Umkhanyakude in KwaZulu-Natal coming in third at 92.8%, it was ranked second among the nation's best-performing districts.
“The province aimed for 90% since 2010 and it has been working steadily towards achieving it, the province has a culture of performance and excellence,” said Free State MEC of Education Dr. Mamiki Maboya.
“This year we got a 48% Bachelor's pass meaning out of every 100 learners 48 got Bachelor's passes which is excellent.”
She said we have changed our motto from being simply the best to being simply excellent.
The Northern Cape was also commended as the province that showed the most improvement as it increased from 75.8% in 2023 to 84.2% in 2024.
Premier Dr. Zamani Saul congratulated the class of 2024 for making history in the province, “You’ve shattered the glass ceiling showing what true dedication and hard work can accomplish.”
Gwarube underlined the quality of results adding that 47.8% of matriculants qualified for admission to Bachelor’s degree studies, up from 40.9% in 2023.
This 6.9% increase represents the highest number of Bachelor passes in recent history, with most of these coming from schools in lower-income areas (Quintiles 1 to 3).
“We want to appreciate the good work the teachers have done, and we are saying they must continue to teach our learners from Grade R until Grade 12. We are not only focusing on Grade 12 but on the whole system because the outcome of Grade 12 is a product of Grade R and 1,” said Gwarube.
Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube at the announcement of the matric results on Monday (13/1). Photo: X/@The_DSD
The Northern Cape pass rates over the years:
- 2024: 84.2%
- 2023: 75.8%
- 2022: 74.2%
- 2021: 71.4%
- 2020: 66%
The Free State pass rates over the years:
- 2024: 91%
- 2023: 89.03%
- 2022: 88.5%
- 2021: 85.7%
- 2020: 85.1%
