Johannesburg — The Gauteng Department of Education has praised schools throughout the province for contributing towards its impressive 88.41% matric pass rate.
The department held a special gathering at Vodaworld in Midrand on Tuesday as the province celebrated its best matric performance since 1995. In a spirited X post, Education MEC Matome Chiloane said the event celebrated a tough year and great rewards for the learners of 2024.
“Today, we celebrate not just numbers on a page, but years of dedication, countless hours of study, and the unwavering determination of our matric class. Class of 2024 – your exceptional results are a testament to your resilience and brilliance. Through sheer determination and tireless commitment, you have transformed your dreams into reality, demonstrating that excellence is born where dedication meets perseverance,” he said.
Today, we celebrate not just numbers on a page, but years of dedication, countless hours of study, and the unwavering determination of our matric class. Class of 2024 – your exceptional results are a testament to your resilience and brilliance.
Through sheer determination and… pic.twitter.com/h8G0mpHYdN— Matome Chiloane (@matomekopano) January 14, 2025
According to national statistics, Gauteng ranked 3rd nationwide, behind the Western Cape and the Free State. Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, was proud of the efforts of the learners throughout the year, EWN reported.
“It further demonstrates that this is a system that is benefitting from careful planning, direct attention and targeted interventions, despite it being under pressure. This performance must be celebrated in the unique and complex nature of the Gauteng education system. Gauteng’s sustained performance confirms the fact that the Gauteng education system is a stable and resilient system,” he said.
He was also proud that Gauteng was the first, and so far only, province to offer all 12 official South African languages and said the basic education system was a global player for development.
According to News24, Chiloane also gave credit to the province’s non-fee-paying schools for their performances and contribution to the province’s overall pass rate.
The average pass rate for these schools was 85.3% – just 7.7 percentage points below their fee-paying counterparts. In 2023, the gap was 9.7 percentage points. And in 2009, it was a staggering 24.1.
“We have made significant strides in closing the gap between schools serving poor communities, specifically no-fee township schools, and those with a strong middle-class component, as shown by the narrowing gap in the performance,” Chiloane said at the announcement of Gauteng’s matric results at Vodaworld in Midrand on Tuesday.
[WATCH]: A massive congratulations to Gauteng’s top-performing matriculant, Musawenkosi Buthelezi from Zimisele Secondary School in Kwa-Thema, Springs! Against all odds, Musawenkosi achieved outstanding results and made us proud!
Well done, Musawenkosi! 👏🎉#ClassOf2024GP… pic.twitter.com/OvQ2TGvSqp
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) January 14, 2025
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
