Matric results for the class of 2023

PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release January 2024

We join the country in congratulating the Matric Class of 2023. It was their commitment and discipline to succeed, paired with the support of their broader community, that contributed to their success. As a network, we believe in the duality of life, to honour those who against all odds, succeeded in their National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, and take a moment to equally acknowledge the young people who did not meet the minimum requirements to obtain their NSC certificate.

Success is not an event of one day and great victory often, always, is accompanied by teaching moments of perceived failure. We wish to encourage every young person who did not qualify in 2023, to consider this an opportunity to regroup, reflect, and strategize. This is but a momentary incident that can be corrected with time. We say to you, give yourself the time to process the probable hurt and disappointment ], but courageously choose to make this an opportunity to try again and make use of the platforms at your disposal to seek recourse which include but are not limited to; repeating your grade, reaching out to Sadag or going for a script remarking.

82% pass rate on a 30-40% standard
While the pass rate has been recorded as being its highest since 1994, we cannot ignore that even with the acknowledged 82% improvement in the overall pass rate, this is not something to be wholly celebrated as an indicator of the health and strength of our basic education system. The fact that obtaining between 30% and 40% in some subjects still counts as a pass should not sit comfortably with us as a nation.

Material conditions faced by the class of 2023
Every child deserves equal educational opportunities. Without this, they cannot develop and reach their potential. It is important to emphasize how matric is not solely a personal achievement but it is a journey of 12 years, that is impacted by the social, economic, and material conditions of the day. We can’t ignore how the governance of our country, paired with the deep inequality of our country, has a direct impact on the quality of life and education our learners and future leaders are exposed to. The failure and success of our learners is a collective responsibility and the 2023 results have once more highlighted the deep challenges found in our education system that, in the interest of preserving the future of our country and in the face of a rapidly digitising world, require urgent intervention to resolve the many structural impediments to learner success in the country.

Matric and Beyond
It is our role and moral obligation as a society, to provide the requisite information and support necessary to give learners who did not manage to succeed, a second chance without the unhelpful labels and stigma of failing. In addition to this, the ones that did succeed, furthermore need our continued support as they navigate life after matric. Universities have limited entrants and are unable to fully accommodate the high demand of qualifying students. We must strengthen our TVET colleges and open up the horizon of possibilities to our young people beyond the traditional platforms of learning and development. It is no secret that many young and bright minds sit at home with their degrees however, no further development has taken place. As a network, we have provided national hubs and platforms for young people to continue to find expression as they wrestle with their development. We encourage society in its diverse facets to proactively seek to build this nation by creating similar platforms for the youth to thrive in. It is in the best interest of our shared future to commit to their personal and public journey.

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For media inquiries contact:
Zamayirha Peter
Communications@activateleadership.co.za
+27 76 322 3598