According to an announcement by the Eastern Cape department of education on Friday January 4, the Eastern Cape 2018 matric pass rate showed a marked improvement of 5.6%, bringing the final pass rate up to 70.6%.
This moves the province one position up in the national rankings.
Historically, the province has been at the bottom tier of pass rates, albeit with a steady increase since 2015’s 57%.
These improvements have been part of a three-year Education System Transformation Plan implemented in January 2016.
PICTURE: SIVENATHI GOSA
Education MEC Mlungisi Mvoko said while this was is a huge achievement, it was is not enough.
“Hopefully, we will use the same tactics used for the current improvement, and the target is to rise into the 80% range. For now, it’s back to the drawing board,” Mvoko said.
He said many efforts had been made by various schools and SGB’s to organise weekend and holiday classes in a bid to improve pupil performance.
To obtain a National Senior Certificate (NSC), the minimum requirements include achieving 40% in three subjects – including a home language – and then 30% in three other subjects.
Speaking on behalf of provincial premier Phumulo Masualle, MEC Bulelewa Tunyiswa said they were thrilled about the results.
“We’re proud to see that we can walk the talk, even after losing the honourable Mandla Makhuphula.
“We have achieved his dream of reaching this percentage goal,” Tunyiswa said.
Five schools in the Buffalo City Metro are in the province’s top 50 performing schools: Clarendon High and Lilyfontein in East London, Ulwazi High in Mdantsane, and Kingsridge High and Hoerskool De Vos Malan in King William’s Town count themselves among the best in the province.
Clarendon High School acting principal Julie Patrick said the school was extremely proud.
“We’ve had a 100% pass rate for the 26th consecutive year and 129 of our girls achieved bachelor’s degree admission.
“The girls have also achieved 30 A-aggregate passes and nine pupils achieved straight As,” Patrick said.
