Lessons from 2024 

The NSC results are a significant indicator of South Africa’s educational health. However, the celebration of matric pass rates often overshadows critical issues, including the high number of learners who leave the system throughout their schooling journey. In 2012, approximately 1.1 million learners were enrolled in Grade 1, but a significantly smaller number sat for the matric exams in 2024.

In 2012, around 1.1 million learners were registered in Grade 1. By 2024, approximately 705,291 learners were registered for the matric exams, with 615,429 achieving a pass. This reflects a matric pass rate of 87.3% for those who sat for the exams, but only about 56% of the original Grade 1 learners reached matric.

Between Grade 1 and Grade 12, the dropout rate exceeds 40%. Key transition points, such as Grades 9 and 10, are critical bottlenecks where many learners leave the system due to poor academic performance, financial constraints, or social challenges.

Key Factors Influencing Dropout Rates

Socioeconomic Challenges

Poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to quality education disproportionately affect learners in rural and underprivileged areas. Many learners are forced to leave school to support their families financially or because of the lack of nearby schools.

Quality of Education

Underqualified teachers, inadequate resources, and weak school leadership across provinces significantly impact learner outcomes. Schools in affluent areas often outperform those in underserved communities, perpetuating inequality.

Policy and Systemic Issues

Policies aimed at promoting progression sometimes result in learners advancing without mastering foundational skills, leading to difficulties in later grades. Additionally, high dropout rates are rarely addressed comprehensively in education reforms.

Crucial Subjects

The Department of Basic Education has raised concerns about BSM subjects (Business, Economics, and Accounting) and, even more so, about Mathematics. Mathematics enrolment declined by 12,000, the largest drop in years. In many schools, learners are encouraged to choose Mathematical Literacy instead of Mathematics. This often occurs when schools prioritise achieving a 100% matric pass rate over the long-term educational needs of their learners.

Robotics will be introduced this year in primary schools. Although this is a subject of the future, it should not overshadow the importance of foundational mathematical instruction.

Recommendations for Improvement

Enhanced focus on early childhood development and foundational literacy and numeracy skills can improve retention and outcomes throughout the schooling journey. If learner tracking systems are implemented to monitor progress and identify at-risk learners early, it may help more students reach matric.

Access to quality education should be guaranteed for all learners, regardless of their location or socio-economic status. While not all learners are destined to attend university, expanding vocational education and training programmes can provide alternative pathways for those who may not thrive in traditional academic settings.

Conclusion

The matric results of 2024 offer both cause for celebration and reflection. While the high pass rate is commendable, the root causes of learner dropouts should be thoroughly investigated and addressed to build a more equitable and effective education system.

Sources:

Department of Basic Education (2024). National Senior Certificate Examination Report.

Spaull, N. (2023). “South Africa’s Education Crisis: An Analysis of the Systemic Challenges.” Journal of Education Policy.

UNESCO (2023). “Global Education Monitoring Report: Addressing Inequalities in Education.”

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-13-sa-matrics-shine-with-highest-national-pass-rate-yet-of-87-3/