At least 98% of matriculants who wrote this year’s Independent Examinations Board (IEB) passed. About 9 580 full-time and 586 part-time candidates from 185 schools across the country wrote the IEB exams in November.
This year saw an increase of an additional 621 learners that wrote the examination, compared with 2012. The increase came from four new institutions that have joined the IEB as well as from increases in learner numbers at existing schools.
The 2013 pass rate is 98.56%, compared to last year’s 98.2%.
Helpmekaar, Kingsmead, Reddam House, Somerset, St Mary’s and St Andrew’s received the most accolades.
One of the schools that made the Outstanding and Commendable list is King David High School in Linksfield. The school’s principal Mark Falconer says it has been an exceptional year.
“These results are exceptional, our results are generally very pleasing and our kids are extremely motivated and academically successful for the main. I don’t know if there is a secret ingredient. I think hard work, wonderful staff and understanding that the education of the whole child is important and looking after them spiritually, emotionally psychologically and physically.”
Shannon Rabinowits from King David High School is one of the top pupils. She has just returned from Europe. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting this but it feels amazing. I’ve been so nervous to get my results. Everyone is nervous to get their results.”
All candidates that passed achieved a pass that is good enough to enter tertiary study at one of the three levels. 85% achieved entry to degree study and 12% qualified for entry to diploma study. 1.5% achieved entry for study at the Higher Certificate level.
I am delighted, on behalf of Umalusi, to report that we have successfully delivered on our mandate
Earlier on Monday, Umalusi announced that it had approved the release of the 2013 national matric results. CEO Mafu Rakometsi said his institution took its stewardship role of examination quality assurance very serious.
“I am delighted, on behalf of Umalusi, to report that we have successfully delivered on our mandate,” he said. “As we know, milestones and achievements are in most cases a product of collective effort. Today’s media briefing is a pinnacle of the hard work by Umalusi staff, to ensure that Umalusi delivers on its mandate as a quality council.”
He said the candidates and their parents were eager to know whether Umalusi had ensured the credibility of their qualifications. Rakometsi said immense effort had been made to ensure the quality of the 2013 examination results.
Also released were the results of the IEB advanced programme (AP) courses. IEB CEO Anne Oberholzer says the curricula and assessment of the advanced programme courses offered in English, Afrikaans and mathematics were benchmarked as equivalent to A-level courses in the United Kingdom.
“These courses are available to Grade 12 learners in IEB schools, as well as schools that write the state NSC examination.”
Out of the 2 103 candidates who wrote AP mathematics, 81% passed. Of the 555 candidates who wrote AP English, 96.2% passed.
AP Afrikaans was offered for the first time in 2013 and achieved a 100% pass rate.
Earlier this month, the Basic Education Department said matric examination paper marking had been completed and Minister Angie Motshekga would release the national and provincial results on January 6. On January 7 individual pupils’ results would be available at schools and in print and online media. – Additional Reporting by SAPA