Home | Media Releases Index page


Media Release

30 December, 2003


Western Cape scores hat-trick in 2003 matric results

Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Education Minister

The Western Cape has achieved a pass rate of 87,1% in the 2003 Senior Certificate examinations – a new record for the province.

We have achieved a pass rate of more than 80% for the third year in a row - a hat trick - to achieve the highest results ever achieved in the Western Cape.

We have also broken through the 87% barrier for the first time. This is an excellent result for our province.

While we celebrate the increased matric pass rate, we also celebrate the fact that we have increased both the number of matriculants passing the exams, and the quality of the results. These are key indicators of real progress.

It is worth noting that 56% of the high schools in the Western Cape – some 216 schools out of a total of 383 – achieved matric pass rates of 90% or more in 2003. This also reflects the high standard of education in the Western Cape.

I am pleased to announce that the actual number of candidates passing this year has increased, from 32 985 in 2002 to 33 769 in 2003, an increase of 784.

The Western Cape has seen a constant, gradual increase in the total number of candidates passing matric over the past three years. This real increase represents a major contribution to human resource development in the Western Cape.

We are steadily growing the actual number of young people in this province who can look forward to better opportunities in life, compared to previous generations, especially in disadvantaged communities.

We often talk about real increases in budgets. We are seeing a real interest in our capital of another kind, the human capital we need to ensure sustainable development in the Western Cape.

To crown it all, I am pleased to announce that the quality of passes has also increased.

  • The number of candidates who have passed with endorsement has grown by 205 young people, from 10 118 in 2002 to 10 323 in 2003.

  • The number of candidates who have passed with merit has increased from 6 736 to 7 005, an increase of 269.

  • The number of candidates who have passed with distinction has grown from 2120 to 2170, an increase of 50.

The 2003 matric results show that the people of the Western Cape have every reason to feel confident about the future.

The future of this province starts with our children who must acquire the knowledge, skills and values they need to lead fulfilling lives and to contribute to the development of our province and our country.

Our business in the Western Cape Provincial Government is to “grow the Cape” – iKapa Elihlumayo, which must start with education, to build the human resources we need to ensure growth and prosperity for all.

The 2003 Senior Certificate results reflect our commitment to growing the Cape – especially the human resources we need to make this possible.

We would like to make it quite clear that the matric pass rate is not our only indicator of success – we are equally interested in the actual number of candidates passing, and the quality of these passes.

It is easy to increase the pass rate, for example, by reducing the number of candidates who write the exams, and only registering candidates who are most likely to succeed.

However, we do not take kindly to strategies of this kind. We will only be satisfied with the results if we see a real increase in the actual number of candidates who enter for the exams and who pass them.

Simply passing is also not good enough – our province needs more candidates who pass well. We measure the quality of passes by the number of candidates who pass with endorsement, merit and distinction, among other indicators.

We are committed to excellence in education in this province, and we will acknowledge this excellence by presenting a wide range of awards this morning.

There are many ways of acknowledging excellence. The matric pass rate is one of them. Just as important are the actual numbers passing, and the quality of the results.

Equally important is the extent to which schools maintain good results over a period of time. Good results that are consistent reflect good management, good teaching, good discipline, and the capacity for developing a thirst for learning.

Consistently good results reflect an ongoing commitment to excellence, and must be acknowledged.

Of crucial importance is the context in which any school finds itself. We acknowledge all schools that achieve excellent results. However, we have to reserve a special place for those schools that excel, despite poor socio-economic circumstances.

Their results reflect a huge commitment to succeeding against all odds. We salute these schools and are rewarding many of them today.

Over the past year, we have often addressed the issue of the throughput rate in our high schools. Our enrolment figures show that far too many learners drop out of high school before completing their matric.

Fortunately, many of our schools have taken this issue to heart and are dealing effectively with it. I am pleased to announce a new award today that acknowledges their efforts to improve the throughput rates at their schools.

The WCED is concerned not only about improving the throughput rate and increasing the actual number of candidates passing matric. We are also concerned about their access to employment and opportunities for further study, especially given the current job market.

For this reason, we will continue working with our partners in government, labour and business, to increase employment opportunities and access to financial aid for further studies.

We take this opportunity of congratulating our top 20 matriculants for 2003, and all our schools and other individuals who have received awards today. They have worked hard to ensure this success, and we acknowledge this. We also acknowledge all those who have supported these candidates in getting this far.

We acknowledge the many thousands of learners, parents, teachers and schools that are not represented at the awards function today, who have all achieved in their own way, and to the best of their abilities. We salute them and thank them for their efforts.

I would like to say a special word of thanks to our teachers for their commitment to ensuring the success of the matric class of 2003. While we congratulate the matrics of 2003 on their success, we cannot forget that this success also reflects the dedication of our teachers who have walked this road with you for the past 12 years at least.

We look forward to working with our school management teams, school governing bodies, unions and teachers even harder in 2004 to keep improving the quality of education in this province. Let us ensure that we always retain the high standards for which this province is known.

In closing, I would like to thank our senior officials and their teams for their excellent work in managing the matric exam process this year.

They include the Head of Education in the Western Cape, Mr Ron Swartz; the Deputy Director-General: Education Planning and Development, Mr Brian Schreuder; our Chief Director: Education Planning, Ms Penny Vinjevold; the Director of Curriculum Development, Ms Jenny Rault-Smith; the Director of Examinations, Mr André Clausen; and the directors and staff of our Education Management and Development Centres in every district.

We also thank all our partners in education, in government and the private sector, for all they have done to support our work in ensuring quality education for all.

We have now built the foundation we need to ensure the success of education in the Western Cape. Let us now work together to complete the job, to grow the Cape, and to provide a brighter future for us all.

See speech

Inquiries: Rudi Buys  082 577 6551


Issued by:
The Communication Directorate
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: (021) 467-2531
Fax: (021) 461-3694
Email: pattwell@pgwc.gov.za


 return to: Home | Media Releases Index page
©2003 WCED