LIMPOPO – During her keynote address at The Ranch Hotel outside Polokwane on Friday, Education MEC Polly Boshielo sympathised with the 2021 class, saying they suffered a double blow as they had to deal with the harsh reality of Covid-19 for two consecutive academic years.
The provincial matric pass rate was announced as 66.7% and despite this being the lowest among the nine provinces, Boshielo said the department is happy with the quality passes behind the pass rate.
The Vhembe district was able to again produce the best public schools in the Top 100 club for subjects including mathematics, physical science, mathematics and physical science, life science, and even a spot for agriculture.
Boshielo says this category recognises candidates who obtained the highest marks at the level of distinction (80% and above) in gateway and selected subjects.
Several learners from the district obtained full marks in gateway subjects which are accounting, business studies, mathematics, physical science and life sciences.
Although the top learner for the province was Dichochi Ramotlou from Hoërskool Noorderland with a total of 1 716 marks.
In second place tied were Thohoyandou Secondary School learner Delicia Davhana and Harry Oppenheimer learner Sibongile Sithole who both obtained an aggregate of 1 708.
The marks are calculated using the top six subjects excluding life orientation.
Dimani Agricultural High in the same circuit obtained a 96% pass rate for agriculture, making it the top performing school in this subject.
Boshielo says for the past two years this category was pitched at Club 100, but no school could qualify to be awarded.
“To motivate schools to work harder to promote the subject, we have introduced Club 50 Agricultural Sciences in 2021. A school qualifies to be in this club if it passes 50 candidates at 50% or more.”
