Nzimande welcomes matric pass rate
2013-01-04 08:58
Durban - Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande on Thursday welcomed the
improved matric pass rate, saying he was particularly pleased with the maths
result.
"Of particular significance and excitement to us in the department of
higher education and training is the increase in the pass rate for mathematics,"
he said in Pietermaritzburg, according to a copy of his speech.
"The increase has direct implications for enrolments in faculties where
mathematics is a pre-requisite within the higher education training
sector."
Nzimande was also pleased with the improvement in marks for Physical
Science, Geography, History, and technical subjects.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced on Wednesday that 73.9%
of matric pupils passed in 2012. In 2011 it was 70.2%.
Nzimande said the improved pass rate meant that 15 280 more matriculants had
obtained a bachelor's pass compared to last year, a 12% improvement.
Life-long experience
He urged those who had not passed matric not to be despondent and look at
other avenues for further learning.
"No one must lose hope because they have not passed. Learning does not
begin and end with a matric, but is rather a life-long experience with various
options within the post-school system."
They should, he said, take a look at vocational courses offered by Further
Education and Training (FET) colleges.
An estimated 180 000 students were expected to enrol at universities, and
about 100 000 at FET colleges.
- SAPA
