Thulisile Mapongwana
The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, joined the Eastern Cape Government in honouring the Matric Class of 2024 in an award ceremony. The group is hailed as a "watershed" in the province’s academic history.
Education MEC Fundile Gade commended the class for its record-breaking performance, which included significant improvements in pass rates, Bachelor passes, and distinctions.
The province achieved an 84.9% pass rate, a notable 3.56% improvement from the previous year’s 81.4%. Of the 99 739 candidates who wrote their exams writing centres, an impressive 45 662 achieved Bachelor passes, a 6.1% increase from the previous year. Distinctions also surged, rising from 29 064 in 2020 to 35 640 in 2024.
During a press briefing preceding the ceremony, MEC Gade lauded their resilience, particularly as they navigated three years of disrupted learning due to COVID-19. "This class represents a watershed period in the learner performance trajectory of the Eastern Cape," Gade stated.
Rural districts were praised for playing a pivotal role in the province's success, with several rural districts ranking in the top five. Chris Hani East led with an 88.5% pass rate, followed by Amathole East and Alfred Nzo West with 87.8% and 86.9%, respectively, showcasing the province's commitment to improving education in underserved areas.
“The Metros are not in the space of the top three, which signals a serious discussion in government. The results suggest that the performance system of basic education is based on commitment and dedication without resources.” He further stated that the resourced schools did not produce top results.
Despite the successes, the MEC highlighted significant challenges that plagued exam season. He expressed deep concern over criminal incidents affecting students, including a tragic case in OR Tambo where five candidates were gang-raped while preparing for exams. Remarkably, all five students persevered, wrote their exams, and achieved Bachelor's passes.
The five learners were among the recipients of awards at the International Convention Centre on Tuesday
Speaking about the horrific incident, Premier Mabuyane said, “A special word of appreciation goes to the girls in Mthatha who experienced the rape ordeal. Today we are celebrating them more than any other child. As government, we must still put up systems around them, like psychosocial support, but we are happy with their effort and patriotism.”
Other challenges included 70 learners falling ill during the exams, though 64 managed to complete their exams.
MEC Gade attributed much of the success to targeted interventions. These included extra tuition classes, virtual lessons, and additional learner support materials. The department also implemented rigorous assessment activities, including mock exams and trial assessments, to better prepare students.
MEC Gade also addressed the scholar transport programme, stating that learners would be ferried to and from school from Wednesday. Gade however highlighted the budgetary provision for 103 000 learners while noting a recent court order from the Makanda High Court mandating accommodation for an additional 40 00 learners. He assured the public that the department, in collaboration with the provincial transport authority, is working to meet this challenge.
Gade cited late walk-ins, bad roads, and issues with service providers as some of the challenges the province needs to overcome to have a coherent scholar transport system. He assured that the Department of Transport said there are no outstanding payments, apart from service providers who refuse to have vehicle inspections.
Speaking during the briefing, Minister Gwarube congratulated the matriculants and pledged to address infrastructural and safety concerns in schools. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating pit toilets, particularly in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, by the end of the financial year, including replacing mud schools and structures built with asbestos.
She cited one of the challenges as implementing agents moving at a slow pace. “We cannot have a situation where implementing agents are essentially hamstringing the ability of government to provide safe and dignified schools. We also need to have real-time data for improper infrastructure in schools to be able to be nimble in dealing with these issues.”
Gwarube also addressed the challenge of teenage pregnancy in schools – ruling this out as rape, needing to be uprooted in society. “It is not teenage pregnancy. They have been raped, and there is an obligation on teachers and principals to report the matter to the police because perpetrators of statutory rape must be brought to book. There is no consent that can be given by a 13-year-old.”
“When a 13-year-old presents a pregnancy in school, a crime has happened and we must treat it as such.” Gwarube appreciated the collaboration with the Department of Health, Social Development, and the Justice Department, saying it was vital to work with police and the justice system to update the National Offenders Register so that teachers who are on there cannot be appointed in schools.
While celebrating with over 371 000 learners across the country who achieved Bachelor passes, Gade raised concerns as to whether universities would have the capacity to accept all deserving people. “Universities need to explore other methodologies for the intake of students, including online learning.” He advised.
One of the awarded top achievers in the province was Mandilakhe Mpetukane from Holy Cross Secondary School in Mthatha, who achieved a Bachelor’s pass with seven distinctions.
“I am excited because it reflects the hard work and effort I put into my studies as the top achiever in my school.” Some of the impressive results from Mpetukane were a 94% in Mathematics, 97% in Physical Sciences, and a 99% in Geography. “I am hoping to go join the University of Cape Town for Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery.”
Premier Mabuyane concluded the ceremony by urging parents to do their part, stating that schools were not a place to fix behaviours, but rather institutions to shape learners for a better future.
