Randburg, Johannesburg — in a proud moment for the Free State, the province has achieved the highest matric pass rate in South Africa for 2024, with an impressive 91% success rate. (see key dates for the 2024 matric results here)
The announcement comes as the Department of Basic Education, led by Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, released the latest statistics showcasing the achievements of 2024 Grade 12 learners nationwide.
In her address, Gwarube praised the Matric Class of 2024 for achieving an outstanding 87.3% pass rate, a significant rise from the previous year’s 82.9%. She highlighted this achievement as the highest matric pass rate in the nation’s history, calling it a moment of immense pride and celebration for all South Africans.
“Like the protea, the class of 2024 seems to have drawn strength from adversity, emerging more determined and ready to flourish, proving that from the harshest conditions greatness can bloom.
“We have also seen that the level of confidence among grade 12 learners to sit for and complete the exams has increased as a result of higher levels of curriculum coverage by learners and educators,” Gwarube said.
Furthermore; she noted that the number of underperforming schools has decreased, which she attributed to intensified interventions undertaken by the DBE, the provincial education departments, and the district teams “to support schools in distress,” Gwarube said, adding: “While the matric pass rate does not, on its own, tell us about the quality of education outcomes in our country, it is an important indicator of progress.”
To pass the NCS, she adds, learners are not only required to get 30% across all subjects, which is often misconceived as the only requirement. Instead, she stated they’re required to achieve to:
- Achieve at least 40% in their home language
- Obtain at least 30% in two other subjects
- Get at least 30% in three additional subjects
- Pass six of their seven subjects
Free State leads the way
Over the past five years – since 2019 –, the Free State has consistently maintained the highest matric pass rate in South Africa. For 2024, it continues to lead the nation with an impressive 91% pass rate, improving from 89.0% in 2023.
KwaZulu-Natal secured the second position with a pass rate of 89.5%, reflecting a significant increase of 3.2% from the previous year. Gauteng ranked third, raising its pass rate from 85.4% in 2023 to 88.4% in 2024.
The North West and Western Cape provinces completed the top five with pass rates of 87.5% and 86.6%, respectively.
Limpopo and Mpumalanga maintained solid performances, recording pass rates of 85.1% and 84.9%. Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape achieved a pass rate of 84.98%, just ahead of the Northern Cape, which recorded an 84.2% pass rate.
Gwarube said this is the highest matric pass rate in the history of the country, and should serve as a moment of great pride for all South Africans.
2024 matric statistics at a glance
A total of 1,060,852 candidates wrote the 2024 year-end examinations. Of this group, 832,993 candidates, representing 78.5%, sat for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations across the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Independent Examinations Board (IEB – with this year seeing the highest pass rate in 5 years), and South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI).
The remaining 21.5%, or 227,859 candidates, were distributed across three additional qualifications:
The remaining 21.5%, or 227,859 candidates, were distributed across three additional qualifications:
- 138,000 candidates wrote the NC(V) Level 2–4 examinations,
- 49,421 candidates completed the N2–N3 examinations, and
- 40,438 candidates participated in the GETC: ABET examinations.
