Johannesburg – The ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday hailed the record number of matric students as an “indisputable demonstration of the resounding success of the government’s policies” to open the doors of learning.
A record 799,306 students wrote the matric exams in 2015 although Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced in Johannesburg that the 2015 matric pass rate stood at 70.7 percent, a drop of five percent compared to the 75.8 percent achieved in 2014.
However, the ANC said the large number of matriculants was “an indisputable demonstration of the resounding success of the ANC government’s policies to truly open the doors of learning for all”.
In a statement, the ANC said: “Not only was the Class of 2015 the largest ever, they recorded the highest number ever of passes, the highest number ever of distinctions and science passes, amongst other commendable achievements.
“South Africa must be justifiably proud of this class which, in quantitative terms, has surpassed all our previous records.
“Whilst we note the decline in overall pass percentage this year, the fact that more students have gained university access than in previous years – with Gauteng leading the pack in terms of the number of bachelor’s passes – points to a year-on-year improvement in the outcomes of the National Senior Certificate.
“We welcome this development and trust that the ongoing work the Presidency and the relevant Ministries to ensure greater access to higher education by finding solutions to the immediate funding challenges will receive the necessary support from all stakeholders.”
The ANC, on the back of what it termed “this success by the class of 2015”, called on the Department of Higher Education to help facilitate access to institutions of higher learning.
“To all those students who may not have been as successful this year, the ANC encourages them to not lose heart but to avail themselves for the opportunities to a second chance and remedial support government has committed itself to.”
African News Agency
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