80% of IEB matrics qualify for university

2012-01-04 10:14

Pretoria - More than 80% of matriculants who wrote the 2011 examinations set by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) achieved marks good enough for university entrance.

The IEB on Wednesday announced that of the 8 281 pupils who wrote the IEB's national senior certificate in 2011, 98.15% passed.

"It is important to note that all learners who have passed the NSC offered by the IEB have qualified for entry to further study at the higher certificate level, diploma level or degree level," the IEB's chief executive Anne Oberholzer said.

A total of 14.37% achieved a pass rates that would qualify them to study towards a diploma, while 81.67% achieved marks that would allow them to get into university.

According to a statement released by the IEB, the 98.15% pass rate was comparable to that of 2010, when 98.38% of IEB pupils passed.

Science

The IEB expressed concern that almost five percent fewer pupils wrote physical science papers. Some 52.3% of all IEB students sat the physical science examinations in 2010, while in 2011 it was only 47.4%.

"A key purpose of schooling is to prepare our young people to take up their place in adult society, be it at an institution of further learning or be it in the workplace. Whatever they do it is critical that they are trainable," Oberholzer said.

There were 56 IEB pupils who sat the combined abitur-NSC examinations offered by the German schools in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Of those, 55 passed with entry to tertiary study in both South Africa and Germany.

IEB pupils are expected to receive their results on Wednesday.

Last week Umalusi, the council for quality assurance in general and further education and training, said matric exams managed by the basic education department and IEB were valid, fair and credible.

- SAPA