President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the high school-leaving class of 2024 for achieving a record 87.3 percent pass rate in South Africa’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
Ramaphosa commended the students for their dedication and resilience, noting that their achievements was a testament to the nation’s progress during 30 years of freedom and democracy.
“The achievements of the Class of 2024 are a proud contribution to and evidence of our progress as a nation during 30 years of freedom and democracy,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “These results reinforce our resolute development of our nation’s most valuable resource, our young people.”
This milestone marks the highest pass rate in the country’s history and reflects significant progress in the basic education sector.
In 2024, a total of 615,429 learners passed the NSC examinations, surpassing previous records.
The national pass rate increased from 82.9 percent in 2023 to 87.3 percent last year.
Nearly half of the learners who wrote the NSC examinations received a Bachelor pass, and approximately 320,000 distinctions were achieved.
Ramaphosa emphasized that the results demonstrate the resilience and pride of South Africa’s youth in creating a better future for themselves and the nation.
He also acknowledged the efforts of learners, teachers, parents, school governing bodies, private sector partners, trade unions and academia in contributing to this success.
“The doors of learning have swung wide open, and we will celebrate each new generation that passes through these doors successfully,” Ramaphosa added.
He called on the civil society to partner the government in creating opportunities for the Class of 2024 to succeed as entrepreneurs, innovators and inventors.
JN/APA