The 2017 National Senior Certificate (NSC) overall pass rate is 75.1%, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga announced on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the past seven years, we have noted that the NSC pass rate has consistently been above the 70% threshold. The Class of 2017 must be commended for maintaining this trend.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 2017 NSC overall pass rate, with the progressed learners excluded, stands at 76.5%, a 0.3% improvement from the 76.2% achieved in 2016. However, with the progressed learners included, the overall pass rate, stands at 75.1%, a 2.6% improvement from the 72.5% achieved in 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis represents a total of 401,435 candidates who had passed the 2017 NSC examinations. Well done to the Class of 2017\u201d said the Minister, during a live broadcast on SABC.<\/p>\n
The Class of 2017 is the 10th cohort of learners to sit for the National Senior Certificate, and the fourth cohort to write Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS)-aligned NSC examinations.<\/p>\n
According to the Minister, the 2017 matric class recorded the third highest enrolment of Grade 12 learners in the history of the basic education system in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The total number of candidates, who registered for the November 2017 NSC examinations, was 802,431; comprising 629,155 full-time candidates, and 173,276 part-time candidates. Of these candidates, 534,484 full-time candidates, and 117,223 part-time candidates, wrote the 2017 NSC examinations.<\/p>\n
A total of 153,610 candidates achieved Bachelor passes (equivalent to 28.7%); 161,333 passed with a Diploma (equivalent to 30.2%); 86,265 passed with Higher Certificates (equivalent to 16.1%) and 99 passed with a National Senior Certificate.<\/p>\n
A total of 314,943 candidates (equivalent to 78.5%), who achieved Bachelor and Diploma passes, are eligible to register for studies at higher education institutions. The 86,364 candidates (equivalent to 21.5%), who obtained certificate passes, may register at TVET colleges and other skills training institutions.<\/p>\n
Minister Motshekga encouraged the 133,049 candidates who did not make it to register for the department\u2019s Second Chance programme.<\/p>\n
In 2017, a total of 161,081 distinctions were achieved, an improvement of 1.8% from 2016.<\/p>\n
The main contributors for this are KwaZulu-Natal with 28%; Gauteng with 22.4%; Western Cape with 15.5%; Limpopo with 9.5%; and Eastern Cape with 9%.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is remarkable to note that the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo produced a combined 46.5% of the total distinctions achieved nationally,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In the 12 key subjects \u2013 which include Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics, and Physical Science, among others – the total number of distinctions stands at 62,154, a decline of 4.6% from 2016.<\/p>\n
In the gateway subjects a total of 5,040 distinctions were achieved in Accounting; 6,726 distinctions were achieved in Mathematics; and 7,861 distinctions were achieved in Physical Science.<\/p>\n
Minister Motshekga conceded that despite the stability of and improvements in the system, there was room for improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce again, I take off my hat to the Class of 2017, and I wish them the best in their future. I believe that you will continue to shine wherever you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
She thanked the principals, teachers, and parents for the work they continue to do to support learners.<\/p>\n
Candidates’ individual results will be made available on 5 January 2018 at the school or centre where they wrote their exams. Their partial results will be made available on the department\u2019s website.<\/p>\n