The Gauteng Education system has demonstrated its maturity, stability, and resilience, as evident in the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.
The Class of 2023 achieved an impressive 85.4% pass rate, showcasing a noteworthy 0.95% improvement over the 2022 achievement of 84.4%. This achievement sets a new record for the country’s highest overall pass rates and bachelor pass rates, with Gauteng contributing 20% of all national bachelor’s passes.
An astounding 191,664 learners enrolled for the NSC examinations in 2023, including 132,570 full-time candidates, 7,197 progressing from grade 11 in 2022 to grade 12 in 2023, and 59,094 part-time candidates.
The celebration of top achievers occurred at the Microsoft Corporate offices in Bryanston on Friday. MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, highlighted Gauteng’s uniqueness as the only diverse and complex province offering education in all 11 official languages of the country, including ten non-official languages. This feature positions Gauteng’s basic education system as a global player for development.
MEC Chiloane emphasized the improvement in performance within the context of Gauteng’s large, unique, and complex provincial education system over the last 29 years. He stated, “It further demonstrates that this system benefits from careful planning, direct attention, and targeted interventions, despite it being under pressure.”
Over 94.1% of Gauteng schools performed above the nationally defined benchmark for school underperformance, a notable increase from 92.6% in 2021. Only 34 public and independent schools achieved less than 65%, compared to 53 the previous year. Chiloane acknowledged concerns about consistently underperforming schools, emphasizing the need for urgent attention without aiming to punish. He stated, “We must continue to demand accountability for results, particularly in chronically failing schools.
The purpose is not to punish the management, teachers, and learners but to provide the right combination of incentives, support, and resources to accelerate the changes needed to improve the quality of education in those schools.”
In Gauteng, all 15 districts performed above 82% against the national average of 82.9%, with Johannesburg West leading as the top district nationally at 892.6%. Notably, Gauteng West achieved the most significant improvement in 2023 with a 4.7% increase in the pass rate. MEC Chiloane mentioned four districts with a slight decline due to the impact of the pandemic on learning.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi expressed disappointment with districts performing below the national average, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and rewarding excellence. He stated, “You must reward goodness where people put their energy; you must reward those that are indeed making it possible as the province to shine.”
Addressing examination concerns, Lesufi advocated for allowing all Grade 12 students to write one examination across the country, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all South African children. He stressed that the goal is not to disband or discard any examination but to guarantee quality education for every child.
Premier Lesufi urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the document making Early Childhood Development (ECD) compulsory. He concluded by giving special recognition to Mohaladitoe Secondary School in Sedibeng West, applauding their tremendous effort in turning around the school’s performance from 56.6% to an outstanding 93.8%.
