Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

24 May, 2018

Western Cape 2017 NSC pass rate increases to 84.3% after Supplementary Exams.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

The Western Cape 2017 NSC pass rate has increased from 82.8% to 84.3% following the completion of the Supplementary Examinations.

Candidates who qualified to write the supplementary examinations did so in February and March this year.

A total of 933 candidates passed the supplementary examinations, while an additional 105 candidates also passed their matric after successfully applying for re-marks.

This means that an additional 1 038 candidates have now achieved their National Senior Certificate for 2017.

While we are proud that we were able to increase our pass rate, this is not our primary indicator of success.

Quality indicators include the percentage of candidates who qualify for access to Bachelor degree studies.

194 candidates that wrote the Supplementary Exams achieved a bachelor's pass, and 81 learners that successfully applying for re-marks achieved a bachelor's pass.

The Western Cape achieved the highest percentage of candidates in the country with access to Bachelor degree studies in 2017, even before the supplementary exams, so this is all the more pleasing.

Thomas Edison said "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

My heartiest congratulations go to these learners who did not give up on themselves, learnt from their failures and just tried one more time, to ensure that they achieved their National Senior Certificate. I am incredibly proud of you and wish you the very best for your future with an NSC Certificate in hand.

Candidates who have yet to receive their results via the post can call the WCED certification/examinations division to obtain their results by phoning 021 467 2000.

For those candidates that did not pass, they will have until 31 May 2018 to register for the 2018 NSC examinations.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Email: Jessica.shelver@westerncape.gov.za