14/01/2025
KZN on the up! DA congratulates Matric Class of 2024 on record results
by Sakhile Mngadi, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Education
Date: 14 January 2025
Release: Immediate
Note to editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and isiZulu by Sakhile Mngadi
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) acknowledges the release of the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results, which reveal a commendable 89.5% pass rate for the province—an increase from 86.4% in 2023.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to every learner who has reached this significant milestone, as well as to their parents and educators who have demonstrated unwavering dedication, often under challenging circumstances.
The results, announced by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube last night, also indicate that KZN achieved 84 470 Bachelor passes, leading the nation in this regard.
The DA welcomes Minister Gwarube’s proposed strategic reorientation towards a strong focus on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and the Foundation Phase. We further welcome her intention to develop systems to track learner’s paths through basic education, which will include those who may who move to Independent/private schools and TVET colleges to complete their schooling.
The Minister’s refocus on quality passes – rather than merely percentage points – is equally welcomed and demonstrates key policy priorities that the DA has long advocated for.
Despite the 2024 matric classes many record achievements, the DA remain cognizant of persistent challenges within our education system, including high dropout rates, instances of academic dishonesty, and shortages of qualified teachers.
The DA in KZN, through the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), is actively advocating for measures to address these issues and enhance the quality of education in our province. Amongst these will be the tabling of a bill aimed at the creation of the KZN Schools Evaluation Authority.
Key programmes initiated by the DA in KZN in 2024 include:
• A state of matric exam readiness oversight tour to schools in the province
• Evaluation oversights at KZN’s consistently under-performing schools and;
• Evaluation oversights at matric exam marking centres.
These initiatives are critical in ensuring that KZN’s Department of Education (DoE) is held accountable throughout the academic year. The DA strongly believes that the fast-tracking of solutions within key areas that affect learners, educators and the DoE has contributed to the overall improvement of the quality of results in KZN. However, much more work still needs to be done.
The DA commends Minister Gwarube on the timely release of the NSC results - nearly a full week earlier than last year. This demonstrates the positive outcomes achievable through strong leadership and commitment.
We welcome the increase in Bachelor passes in KZN, particularly in under-resourced Quintile 1 to 3 schools, along with the reduction in the number of under-performing schools and improvements across all provinces and districts.
The DA in KZN has published a list of underperforming and historically problematic schools for 2024/2025 in our province that we intend to monitor. (view here). This, in an effort to reinforce the Minister’s strategic refocus on the quality of passes and education standards within KZN’s basic education system.
A matric qualification opens doors to numerous opportunities. To those learners who did not pass, we encourage you to seize the available opportunities to rewrite and to remain hopeful.
The DA pledges its continued support to all learners and educators and will continue to strive for an education system in KZN that is both equitable and excellent.
Media Enquiries
Sakhile Mngadi, MPL
DA KZN Spokesperson on Education
061 4029328
