Embracing Transitions: A Tale of New Beginnings and Culminating Achievements in 2024

As the world ushers in the promises of a new year, 2024 brings with it a fresh wave of excitement for the youngest learners embarking on their educational journey. Grade 1, a pivotal milestone in a child's academic life, commences with eager anticipation and the promise of discovery. Parents, teachers, and students alike are filled with enthusiasm as they embark on this new chapter of growth and learning.

Meanwhile, the air is charged with a different kind of anticipation for the graduates of 2023. The matriculants of the previous year are anxiously awaiting the culmination of their efforts, as the results of the National Senior Certificate (NRC) exams are set to be released. For them, this moment marks the end of a chapter and the beginning of new opportunities and challenges.

At the MTN Innovation Centre, Project CBNews is gearing up for a unique breakfast event with the top achievers of the class of 2023. This initiative seeks to celebrate the academic accomplishments of these bright minds and provide a platform for them to share their experiences and insights. As the morning unfolds, the atmosphere is filled with a sense of camaraderie and achievement.

The climax of the day, however, is reserved for the evening at Mosaiek Church in Randburg. At 6pm, the much-awaited release of the 2023 NRC results will take place, casting a spotlight on the individual achievements of each student. Project CBNews is set to capture this pivotal moment through a live stream, bringing the excitement and emotions of the occasion to a broader audience.

NSC Results Live at 18 January 2024 18:00

Keynote Address by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, MP, delivered during the Release of 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examination Results (Summarised version)

The announcement of the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results reflects thirty years of consistent progress in South Africa's basic education. The government's commitment to social justice principles, including access, equity, redress, inclusivity, quality, and efficiency, has led to significant advancements. Despite a budget allocation lower than developed OECD countries, per-learner spending underscores the dedication to providing quality education, aligned with the principles of the Freedom Charter. The expansion of access to educational institutions, including a surge in early childhood development opportunities, has resulted in a noteworthy increase in school attendance rates, with 98% attendance for compulsory education in South Africa.

The education landscape in South Africa has witnessed remarkable progress over the past decades, particularly in terms of participation and completion rates. Data reveals a significant increase in the number of Black South Africans completing 12 years of education, rising from a mere 10% for those born in the 1950s and 1960s to nearly 60% among those born in the 1980s. The number of National Senior Certificate (NSC) candidates obtaining Bachelor passes has nearly tripled since 2008, with substantial growth from "no fee" schools, showcasing the equitable nature of these improvements.

Efficiency enhancements in the education system, such as lower grade repetition rates, have contributed to better NSC results. South Africa has demonstrated consistent improvement in international standardized assessments, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Government initiatives, including pro-poor education policies, have played a crucial role in fostering equity and inclusivity. These policies encompass free nutritious meals, quality learning materials, and free transport for eligible learners, along with measures to identify and support children with special educational needs.

The concerted efforts to eradicate adult illiteracy have been successful, with the adult literacy rate reaching 86.4%, according to StatsSA's 2020-2021 General Household Survey. This progress is attributed to initiatives like the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign, which reached approximately 4.1 million adults across the country between 2009 and 2017. Overall, the report highlights a positive trajectory in South Africa's education sector, underscored by advancements in access, quality, and inclusivity.

The progress in South Africa's education sector, while acknowledging existing challenges, is recognized as a testament to the government's targeted initiatives and a clear vision for an empowered and educated nation. The next phase in basic education emphasizes the expansion of Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs and a focus on foundational skills such as reading, writing, and counting. Additionally, efforts will be made to diversify the curriculum to address the evolving skills and competencies needed in a changing world, aiming to reduce high failure and dropout rates in the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase.

With the imminent approval of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, Grade R will become compulsory, offering an opportunity to strengthen the foundations for learning from the early stages.

Regarding the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, the scope and size are substantial. A total of 897,775 full-time and part-time candidates enrolled in the exams, with 162 question papers set. The examination process involved printing 10.2 million question papers, producing 9.6 million scripts, and deploying them to 6,898 secure examination centers nationwide. The exams employed 72,500 invigilators and 52,500 markers in 184 secure marking centers.

Despite challenges, the 2023 NSC exams exhibited a high degree of stability, improved data processes within the Department of Basic Education (DBE), and highlighted the determination and resilience of the Class of 2023. This resilience is seen as a positive sign of a maturing and resilient Basic Education system equipped to handle unexpected challenges.

Umalusi, the Quality Council for General and Further Education and Training, has declared that the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams were administered largely in accordance with regulations, and any identified irregularities were not systemic, ensuring the overall credibility and integrity of the exams. Umalusi accepted raw marks for 74% of subjects, adjusted marks upwards for 9.1%, and downwards for 16.7%. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is mandated to block results for candidates implicated in irregularities, pending DBE investigations and Umalusi verification. The DBE will comply with Umalusi's directives and submit an improvement plan by March 15, 2024.

The unique profile of the Matric Class of 2023 reveals it as the tenth cohort exposed to the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS)-based NSC exams. Notably, 88.2% of full-time candidates and 47.8% of part-time candidates were 16-20 years old during enrollment. Out of the 1.2 million candidates who enrolled in Grade 1 in 2012, 740,566 progressed to Grade 12 in 2023. The number of candidates who enrolled for the 2023 NSC exams in July was 740,566, but in October, 715,719 candidates were recorded.

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in South Africa is designed to interlink basic education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges, and Higher Education and Training institutions. Some Class of 2023 candidates may have transitioned to TVET Colleges after Grade 9, aligning with the NQF provisions. Efforts are underway to synchronize and align databases with the Department of Higher Education and Training for accurate tracking of learners choosing the TVET College pathway after Grade 9.

The Class of 2023, having been part of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) program in 2011, formally entered schooling in Grade 1 in 2012. The foundational skills acquired in Grade R, focusing on language, motor skills, problem-solving, numeracy, self-regulation, executive functioning, and a love for learning, set the stage for lifelong learning.

Despite facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic during Grades 9 and 10 in 2020 and 2021, the Class of 2023 demonstrated resilience and a strong desire to improve their future prospects.

Out of the 897,775 candidates who registered for the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, 715,719 were full-time candidates, and 182,056 were part-time candidates. The curriculum underwent continuous refinement, with the introduction of subjects in vocational and technical fields such as Maritime Economics, Sports and Exercise Science, Nautical Sciences, Equine Studies, and Maritime Sciences. Technical Mathematics included a Practical Assessment Task (PAT), and changes were made to the structure and duration of certain question papers. Further details on participation and performance in these subjects can be found in the technical report.

The distinctive features of learner support programs implemented by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) have yielded positive outcomes, evidenced by the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam results. These initiatives, both for learners and educators, along with policy shifts to address the impact of COVID-19, have contributed to a resilient cohort and a maturing education system on the rise. Support from communities, psycho-social assistance, care for teaching and learning, and private sector and NGO support, including remote digital learning, have played crucial roles.

The policy on progression, aimed at reducing learners repeating grades excessively, has shown success. In the 2023 NSC exams, 54,943 progressed learners were enrolled, with 49,866 writing the required seven subjects. Of these, 22,688 (45.5%) passed, with 3,147 gaining admission to Bachelor studies, 8,828 to Diploma studies, and 10,680 to Higher Certificate studies. Progressed learners achieved 2,517 distinctions, demonstrating the effectiveness of support programs.

The inclusive education system for learners with special education needs reflects the commitment to constitutional principles of equity and inclusivity. In the 2023 NSC exams, 5,458 learners with special education needs enrolled, 5,288 wrote the exams, and 4,581 passed. Notably, 2,491 achieved Bachelor passes, 1,360 achieved Diploma passes, and 591 achieved Higher Education passes, with a total of 2,072 distinctions.

The impact of "pro-poor" policies is evident in the NSC exam results. Government initiatives, coupled with curriculum diversification, have led to an increase in Bachelor passes from schools historically considered poorly performing. In 2023, more than 65% of Bachelor passes came from quintiles 1-3 schools, demonstrating the success of pro-poor policies. The NSC passes for quintiles 1-3 schools combined totaled 379,917, with 174,676 being Bachelor passes.

The concept of "internal efficiency" in the South African Basic Education system, as discussed in a report published by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in 2013, refers to the effective utilization of resources to produce educational outcomes. Policies such as the Progressed Learner Policy and efforts to enhance learning quality have significantly improved internal efficiency. The system now shows better learner retention and a higher throughput ratio, signaling progress in addressing concerns related to drop-out and repetition rates highlighted in the National Development Plan (NDP).

Regarding candidates who are recipients of social grants, 543,786 social grant recipients wrote the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. Of these, 441,871 passed, with an 81.2% pass rate. Notably, 202,156 social grant recipients obtained Bachelor passes, indicating a 2.1% improvement from 2022. The achievements include 152,430 Diploma passes, 87,135 Higher Certificate passes, and 89 NSC passes. A total of 160,326 distinctions were attained by social grant recipients, including distinctions in critical subjects.

In correctional facilities, 137 out of 147 full-time candidates who wrote the 2023 NSC exams passed, achieving a pass rate of 93.2%. Among them, 90 obtained Bachelor passes, 34 obtained Diploma passes, and 13 obtained Higher Certificate passes. A total of 278 distinctions were attained by candidates in correctional facilities.

Gender-wise, 56.4% of candidates who wrote the 2023 NSC exams were girls, and 43.6% were boys. Interestingly, 82.9% of both girls and boys passed the exams. Girls outperformed boys in Bachelor passes (42% compared to 39.6%), while boys had a slightly higher percentage of Diploma passes (28.6% compared to 26.1%). Additionally, 66.4% of distinctions were attained by female candidates.

In the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, South Africa witnessed remarkable district and provincial performances:

District-Level Performance:

None of the 75 districts attained pass rates lower than 60%.
Only one district performed below 70%, while 19 districts performed between 70% and 79%.
Fifty-five districts performed at 80% and above.
The top ten district performances were in Free State, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal, with Johannesburg West (Gauteng) leading with 92.5%.

Leading Districts in Respective Provinces:

Free State: Motheo at 91.2%
Gauteng: Johannesburg West at 92.5%
KwaZulu-Natal: Umkhanyakude at 90.0%
Eastern Cape: Alfred Nzo East at 85.1%
Limpopo: Mopani West at 83.8%
Mpumalanga: Ehlanzeni at 81.8%
North West: Bojanala Platinum at 84.2%
Northern Cape: Namakwa at 81.6%
Western Cape: Metro North at 85.9%

Provincial-Level Performance:

Free State achieved the highest provincial pass rate at 89.0%.
KwaZulu-Natal had the third-best improvement, achieving 86.4%.
Gauteng achieved 85.4%.
North West achieved 81.6%, an improvement of 1.8%.
Western Cape achieved 81.5%, a slight increase from 2022.
Eastern Cape, the second most improved province, achieved 81.4%, an improvement of 4.1%.
Limpopo was the most improved province, achieving 79.5%, a 7.4% improvement.
Mpumalanga achieved 77.0%, a 0.2% increase.
Northern Cape achieved 75.8%, a 1.6% increase.

Performance Based on the Provincial Inclusive Basket: The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) evaluated provinces based on an inclusive basket, considering factors like fee-paying status, performance in critical subjects, Mathematics participation, Bachelor passes, distinctions, and throughput ratios. Notable achievements include Mpumalanga, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape with the highest throughput ratios; Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng with higher pass rates and achievements in fee-paying schools; and Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng, and North West with higher performance in critical subjects.

Overall, the provinces demonstrated growth and minimal percentage gaps in pass rates, indicating progress in the education system.

Overall National Performance of the 2023 NSC Examinations:

Pass Rate:
- The overall pass rate for the 2023 NSC examinations is 82.9%.
- This is an improvement from 80.1% in 2022 and 76.4% in 2021.
- It represents 572,983 candidates who passed.
Historical Context:
- Over the past decade, the NSC pass rate has consistently risen from 60% in 2009 to above 80% in recent years.
- The Class of 2023 maintained this trend despite facing significant challenges.
Historical Achievement:
- The 2023 NSC pass rate, when expressed as a percentage, is the highest in the history of the NSC.
- Bachelor passes and passes with distinction by the Class of 2023 are the highest in NSC history.
Breakdown of Passes:
- Bachelor Passes: 282,894 candidates (40.9% of those who wrote the exams) qualify for admission to university. This is the highest in NSC history.
- Diploma Passes: 187,876 candidates (27.2% of those who wrote the exams).
- Higher Certificate Passes: 101,973 candidates (14.8% of those who wrote the exams).
- NSC Passes: 96 candidates (0.01%).
Eligibility for Higher Education:
- A total of 470,770 candidates (82.1% pass rate) who achieved Bachelor and Diploma passes are eligible for higher education.
Distinctions:
- A total of 253,807 distinctions were achieved in 2023.
- Major contributors to distinctions were KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Limpopo.
Rural Province Performance:
- The three most rural provinces (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo) collectively produced:
  - 50.9% of total Bachelor passes.
  - 59.0% of total passes with distinction.
  - 39.5% of total Diploma passes.
- This challenges the myth that quality education is exclusive to urban provinces, showcasing the impact of "pro-poor" policies.

The achievements of the Class of 2023 are notable, marking not only improvements in pass rates but also historical highs in the number of Bachelor passes and distinctions. The emphasis on inclusivity and the success of rural provinces highlight the positive impact of government policies on education.

Key Points in Conclusion:

System Stability:
- The Basic Education system has achieved a level of stability, crucial for such a large and significant system.
- Commendation for the resilience shown by the school community against challenges, including the impact of the pandemic, service delivery protests, floods, violence, and societal issues.
Community Involvement:
- The direct involvement of all communities of trust is emphasized for the survival and success of the system.
- Acknowledgment of the confidence communities have in public schools, with around 96% of candidates enrolling for the 2023 NSC exams in public schools.
Quality Passes:
- The Class of 2023 achieved high-quality passes, notably with a record number of Bachelor and Diploma passes, and passes with distinction.
- All provinces are performing above 70%, and no districts have pass rates below 60%.
Pro-Poor Policies:
- Emphasis on the importance of delivering government "pro-poor" policies, programs, and interventions.
- Recognition of the contribution of "no fee" schools, highlighting the impact of policies focused on addressing socio-economic disparities.
Sector Priorities:
- Continued focus on ECD consolidation, improvement in all phases of the schooling system, enhanced reading proficiency, numeracy, and collaboration with partners for skills development and Fourth Industrial Revolution readiness.
- Strengthening the assessment regime and maintaining labor peace.
Appreciation and Recognition:
- Acknowledgment and appreciation for the efforts of principals, teachers, support staff, and parents at the forefront of basic education delivery.
- Recognition of the responsibility held by schools in shaping the future of learners and the prosperity of the nation.
Gratitude:
- Thanks extended to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cabinet, parliamentary committees, Deputy Minister Dr. Reginah Mhaule, MECs, Heads of Departments, and the Director-General and his team.
- Gratitude expressed to strategic partners, including teacher unions, school governing body associations, the disability sector, business partners, statutory bodies, researchers, sister departments, and sponsors, particularly MTN.
Message to Class of 2023:
- Encouragement and congratulations to the Class of 2023 in ordinary public and independent schools.
- A reminder that their future is in their hands, urging them to make correct life choices.
- Assurance that support is available for those who wish to improve results, with registration open for the Second Chance Matric Programme.
Education as a Societal Matter:
- Reiteration of the importance of education as a societal matter.
- Call for collective effort, emphasizing that all hands must be on deck for the success of education in the country.