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The Eastern Cape has recorded an 81.42% matric pass rate as the country's so-called COVID-19 babies recorded an overall pass rate of 82.9.%.
This overall pass rate was the highest since the dawn of democracy.
The Free State was the top-performing province with a pass rate of 89%, followed by Kwazulu Natal with 86.4% and Gauteng at 85.4%.
Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga noted that the class of 2023 had to persevere through the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The quality of the achievements of the Class of 2023 can be attributed to the relentless efforts of our school principals, teachers, and parents, who united in the common understanding that we, as South Africans, have the power to transform the lives of millions of children, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed and positively impact the world," she said.
Motshekga said bachelor passes as well as passes with distinction produced by the Class of 2023, stand out as the highest in the history of NSC exams.
"The pass rate of the 2023 NSC exams in number is the second highest in the history of the NSC exams; when expressed as a percentage, the pass rate of the 2023 NSC exams, is the highest in the history of the NSC so far," she said.
Provincial level performance #MatricResults2023
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) January 18, 2024
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Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Education Department welcomed the achievement of the province's matriculants.
MEC Fundile Gade praised the commitment shown by the learners despite the challenges which included COVID-19 and "other challenges".
Department spokesperson, Mali Mtima also had a word of encouragement for those matric learners "who did not make it", saying the Department has a "second chance" matric programme that they can register for.
