
The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has seen a slight increase in the matric pass rate, from 98.39% in 2021 to 98.42% last year.
This after 12 580 full-time and 945 part-time candidates sat for their National Senior Certificate (NSC) in October and November last year. In 2021, 12 857 full-time and 968 part-time candidates wrote these exams.
IEB chief executive Anne Oberholzer said:
Of the matriculants who passed, 89.32% achieved a pass that grants them entry to degree study, 7.52% qualified for entry to a diploma, and 1.57% qualified for entry for a higher certificate.
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Said Oberholzer:
READ: Class of 2021 exceeds expectations
She said that, while the Grade 12 classes of 2020 and 2021 had managed to adapt to a new reality under the pandemic, the class of 2022 was most affected, having missed out on normal schooling in their grade 10 and 11 years, which are fundamental to the good performance of a matriculating cohort.
"They have had to work hard to maintain their drive and perseverance to succeed and, in many respects, dig deep to play catch-up in terms of lost time and experiences. The social and emotional impact of the pandemic on pupils cannot be overlooked. The dedication of the teaching community to implementing various strategies to support their classes during this black swan event is exemplary," Oberholzer said.