BOSA challenges record matric pass rate, cites 51% as true figure

matric

Cape Town — Build One South Africa (BOSA) has congratulated the matric class of 2024 on their results but criticised the reported pass rate as unrealistic.

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube announced an 87.3% matric pass rate, the highest in South Africa’s history.

“This is the highest matric pass rate in the history of our country and should be a moment of great pride and celebration for us all,” said Gwarube.

While praising learners, teachers, and parents for their efforts, BOSA argued the true pass rate is only 51%. “This is willingly misleading. The true matric pass rate is a much lower 51% – pointing to an education system that is jeopardising the future of our young people,” said BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons in a statement.

The party explained that of the 1.2 million learners who began Grade 1 in 2013, only 615,000 passed matric in 2024. They acknowledged that some learners may have enrolled in TVET colleges or dropped out, further diminishing their employment prospects.

“The 2024 matric results illustrate a number of flashing red lights which must be brought to the fore,” said Solomons.

Key issues include:

  • A high dropout rate, with more than half of learners not completing school.
  • Only 47% of learners achieve a Bachelor’s pass, and less than 15% are likely to enrol at university.
  • Unacceptably low pass marks, with 30% and 40% considered sufficient.

“In order to inflate pass rates, pass marks are unjustifiably low. Current standards convey to learners that 30% and 40% are acceptable achievements. Crucially, the majority of students who take crucial matric subjects pass with less than 50%,” Solomons added.

BOSA called for reforms, including:

  • A minimum pass rate of 50% for all subjects.
  • An independent education ombudsman.
  • Increased teacher salaries and incentives for students.

With an R300 billion education budget, BOSA criticised the system for poor quality education, citing overcrowded classrooms, unqualified teachers, and inadequate infrastructure.

“A lack of resources, overcrowded classrooms, unqualified teachers, and inadequate infrastructure are all symptomatic of a system that has failed to live up to its promises,” Solomons said.

BOSA pledged to pursue interventions to fix the education system and ensure all South African learners can thrive.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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