Matric results: These are SA’s best – and worst – performing provinces

Millions of South African matric students learnt their fate on Monday 22 February when the eagerly awaited announcement of 2020’s results were announced. 

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga made the keynote announcement at a briefing on Monday afternoon, and said that the best performing province was the Free State. 

She confirmed that the overall 2020 Matric Pass Rate is 76.2%.

Northern Cape struggles to 66% pass rate 

The Province that recorded the lowest pass rate was the Northern Cape, where only 66% of students passed. 

Motshekga said that she is extremely satisfied with the set of results produced across the country in light of all the challenges that faced educators and schools in 2020. 

“I was expecting a bloodbath,” she admitted. “I am grateful to the learners and teachers who held their own.”

Provincial Matric results sees Free State top the class  

The full provincial matric results for 2020, ranked from highest to lowest pass rates, are as follows: 

• Free State: 85.1%
• Gauteng: 83.3%
• Western Cape: 79.9%
• KwaZulu-Natal (KZN): 77.6%
• North West: 76.2
• Mpumalanga: 73.7%
• Limpopo: 68.2
• Eastern: Cape 68.1%
• Northern: Cape 66%

‘Failure is not fatal’ – Deputy Minister 

Deputy Education Minister Reginah Mhaule said that the 2020 batch of matrics had been the most resilient in recent times. 

She commended their ability to ensure a strong pass rate despite a decrease of around 5% in overall passes from the previous year, considering the fact that they endured extraordinary circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and leaked exam papers that resulted in the need to rewrite certain exams. 

“The class of 2020 has been our strongest cohort. They have really put in on the all the work,” said Mhaule. 

She added that those who had failed to achieve requisite grades to pass the year should not become despondent and encouraged them to make use of resources available to assist them going forward. 

“We want to encourage all Matriculants who did not make it to please sign up for the Matric Second Chance Programme. Never despair! Failure is not fatal. Get up and try again!”