AfriForum Youth reveals the real 2010 matric pass rate

The effective pass rate of the matrics of 2010 is 27,6% and not the 67,8% announced by the Department of Basic Education. The total of 27,6% is obtained when it is taken into account that in 1999, when the matric group of 2010 were in Grade 1, 1 318 932 pupils enrolled for Grade 1. Of the 1,3 million Grade 1 pupils of 1999, only 559 166 enrolled to write the matric exam of 2010. Almost three quarters of the original total of pupils were unable to pass their matric exam within the prescribed period.

"The percentage of 67,8% announced by the Department of Basic Education merely reflects the pass rate of the number of pupils who enrolled to write the exam, Ernst Roets, AfriForum Youth's National Chairman, said. "Although the growth in this regard is commendable, it cannot be regarded as an indication that the education system is in good health. The fact that fewer than a third of the Grade 1 pupils of 1999 eventually passed matric points to a serious crisis in the Department of Basic Education," according to Roets.

Roets appealed to the Department of Basic Education to have an audit carried out as to the reasons why almost three quarters of the Grade 1 group of 1999 did not pass their matric exam within the prescribed period. "The figures explain why unemployment, poverty and crime have reached such alarming proportions in South Africa. Drastic intervention in the education system is needed for these problems to be dealt with effectively," he said.

Statement issued by Ernst Roets, National Chairman: AfriForum Youth, January 11 2011

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter