The Mpumalanga MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, said the Class of 2023’s pass rate of 77% promises a bright future in the education system, although it constitutes a 0.2% improvement from 76.8% in 2022.
During the announcement of the 2023 National Senior Certificate examination results at the University of Mpumalanga on January 19, he said this increase by a fraction is better than a decline, as these were some of the learners who had persevered through a difficult learning time during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Class of Dreams [Class of 2023] had registered 67 902 candidates, and of those, 65 534 wrote all the subjects on offer. What is more exciting is that 21 819 of these learners qualify to register for bachelor programmes. In the same breath, 17 412 of these learners qualify to enrol for diploma programmes.”
Marking the number one post in the district category is the Ehlanzeni District, which recorded an 81.8% pass rate, followed by the Gert Sibande District at 79.8%, the Nkangala District at 76.4% and the Bohlabela District at 69.1%.
In a message supported by Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Majuba said Bohlabela’s pass rate raises concerns, which will receive attention as soon as possible.
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Mtshweni-Tsipane said, “We need to find ways to implement ways to improve the Bohlabela District so they produce better results. Congratulations to the schools and the Class of 2023’s top 10 achievers that performed at their utmost best. But it is not the end for those who failed. There are a number of programmes available to uplift them.”
Out of the 17 municipalities in the province, the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality obtained position one after passing 2 170 learners, which constitute an 89.5% pass rate. The Nkomazi East Circuit is the most improved circuit, hitting a 77.6% pass rate.
Hoërskool Nelspruit is the best overall performing school with a 100% pass rate, competing with 23 schools with 100% passes. The school had 229 learners, and 204 of them satisfied requirements for bachelors programmes, while 24 qualified for diploma programmes. It registered a total of 188 distinctions in various subjects.
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It also boasts the best overall learner, Niandi Coetzee. She received a brand-new car with cash prizes and necessary gadgets for tertiary learning.
The top 10 and the best candidates in subjects were guaranteed a full bursary from the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, cash prizes and a lot of goodies to carry back home.
