By Amy Musgrave
The country continues to celebrate the results of the 2024 matric cohort, with congratulations pouring in from all sectors of society.
The government said on Tuesday that the results marked a significant milestone in the history of the country’s education system, coinciding with 30 years of democracy.
“In 1994, many learners faced various odds, with limited access to quality resources, school infrastructure, teaching and appropriate education curriculum. Today, the Class of 2024 benefits from an education system that is more inclusive, better resourced, access to warm meals, no-fee schools and a world renown curriculum,” said acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa.
With a pass rate of 87.3, the matriculants exceeded the 82.9% achieved the year before.
She said the government has worked hard to create an enabling learning environment, which included the eradication of mud schools, pit latrine toilets and the provision of good quality classrooms. The Basic Education Department has set a deadline of 31 March to eradicate the remaining pit toilets.
Significant progress has also been made in building new schools, refurbishing existing ones and ensuring that learners had access to a safe and dignified learning environment. In addressing the challenges relating to safety and security of both the learners and the teachers, government was working on plans to combat and reduce crime in the country, said Mnukwa.
“As the country celebrates the achievements of the Class of 2024, let us also honour the legacy of transformation in the education sector over the past 30 years.
“Access to education has expanded significantly, and the pass rate for matric examinations has steadily improved, reflecting the progress made in teaching, learning and resource allocation,” she said.
South Africa’s largest teacher union, Sadtu, contended that while the National Senior Certificate (NSC) was not the only yardstick to measure the performance of the education system, these results signified a “maturation” of the system.
Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke called on learners who had passed to be proud of their achievements despite criticisms of the NSC from some political quarters.
“Misinformation that casts doubt on the value of this qualification only serves to dampen the spirit of our learners.
“Instead of engaging in narrow debates about percentages, we must foster meaningful discussions on how to assist learners in realising their potential – whether academic, occupational or vocational. Education is far more complex than test scores or exams, it encompasses diverse variables that reflect the true development and progress of our children,” he said.
Maluleke also called on The Treasury to allocate more resources to education to address the ongoing inequalities.
He warned that the continuous achievements may not be feasible if budget cuts persisted.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the doors of learning have swung wide open and South would celebrate each new generation that passed through these doors successfully.
“As government and our partners in civil society, we must all work together to ensure that learners such as the Class of 2024 are able to take up as many opportunities as we can create for them to succeed.
“This must include the space and inspiration for young people to set their own course as entrepreneurs, innovators, inventors and other embodiments of creativity and self-reliance.
“The achievements of the Class of 2024 must also sharpen our resolve to attend to challenges affecting the education sector and our economic performance. We are confident the Class of 2024 will itself produce some of the answers to these challenges,” he said.
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