Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the matric Class of 2024 for their “numerous extraordinary achievements,” which he highlighted as a testament to the commitment of learners and advancements in the basic education sector.

In 2024, a total of 615,429 learners successfully completed the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, setting a record for the highest pass rate in the country’s history.

The national pass rate for the NSC increased from 82.9% in 2023 to an impressive 87.3% in the previous year.

Almost half of the learners who took part in the NSC examinations earned a Bachelor pass, with nearly 320,000 distinctions granted.

On Monday, January 13, 2025, President Ramaphosa remarked: “The achievements of the Class of 2024 demonstrate our ongoing journey as a nation over the last 30 years of freedom and democracy.”

“These outcomes reaffirm our steadfast commitment to nurturing our most valuable asset, our youth.”

“They also illustrate that we are breaking down the enduring legacy of intergenerational indignity, disadvantage, and poverty that apartheid sought to impose on the majority of South Africans.”

He elaborated further that these results showcase the agency, resilience, and pride of our youth as they work towards a better future for themselves and their communities.

President Ramaphosa continued: “In both public and private education, our learners, teachers, and parents or guardians deserve our thanks, along with school governing bodies, private sector partners, trade unions, and academia.”

“The doors of education are wide open, and we will celebrate every new generation that successfully walks through them.”

“As the government and our civil society partners, we must come together to ensure that learners like the Class of 2024 can seize every opportunity that we create for their success.”

“This entails providing the support and encouragement for young individuals to forge their own paths as entrepreneurs, innovators, and embodiments of creativity and self-reliance.”

“The achievements of the Class of 2024 must energize our resolve to address the challenges facing the education sector and our economic performance.”

“We are confident that the Class of 2024 will devise solutions to these challenges.”

Earlier, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced that 98% of South African children aged seven to 15 are enrolled in school.

“This reflects a near-universal attendance rate for learners in Grades 1 to 9,” she noted.

“However, with Grade R becoming mandatory from this school year, we must act promptly to expand access to basic education from Grade R onwards.”

“This poses a significant challenge that will require extensive planning, investment, and a renewed dedication to our children’s well-being.”

“While we’ve made considerable progress in widening access to education, our focus must now shift toward improving the quality of education that our learners receive.”

Minister Gwarube stressed that learners should graduate from school equipped with an education and qualifications that allow them to pursue higher education opportunities or enter the job market with dignity.

In Cape Town, the GOOD Party congratulated all matriculants who worked diligently to succeed in their 2024 school leaving exams.

“We also extend our congratulations to their families, teachers, and school communities. Together, they foster the development of our people and our nation.”

“The improved pass rate of 87.3% is uplifting, especially given that all provinces experienced an increase in their pass rates.”

RISE Mzansi congratulated the Matric Class of 2024, including those who undertook the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) assessment, which achieved a 98.47% pass rate, as well as those who sat for the NSC exams with a commendable historic pass rate of 87.3%.

“Kudos to the class of 2024,” stated RISE Mzansi.

“We also want to express our appreciation to parents, guardians, educators, and support staff for their significant role in this achievement.

“This accomplishment not only belongs to the matriculants but also reflects the backing of their communities.”

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) celebrated the Class of 2024 for their resilience and determination in overcoming the obstacles within the education system.

“Your success serves as a testament to your hard work and dedication, and we honor you for reaching this pivotal milestone,” stated the ATM.

“For those who may not have garnered the results they hoped for, remember that this is not the end.

“There remain opportunities to rewrite your narrative and create your own path to success.”

ATM added: “While we commemorate this moment, it is also a vital time to reflect on the larger issues facing South Africa’s education system.”

The ATM strongly advocates for urgent educational reform to tackle systemic challenges and ensure that no child is left behind.

“One of the most pressing issues is the high dropout rate between Grade 1 and Matric.”