Minister Schäfer celebrates performance of schools and districts

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education Western Cape

Yesterday I had the opportunity to celebrate our province’s 79.9% pass rate for the 2020 matric exams, along with some of the top achievers in our province recognised by the Department of Basic Education. Today, all Western Cape learners are accessing their results from their schools or on the WCED website.

I am pleased to have joined the matrics of Elswood Sekondêr in Elsiesrivier in celebrating their results. Their Class of 2020 achieved a pass rate of 83.8% - a whopping 28.4 percentage point increase from last year! Not only is this an incredible achievement during a pandemic, but their number of candidates writing and passing the exam also increased. I congratulate Principal Kiewiet and his staff on this excellent improvement.

Early next month we will celebrate all of our Western Cape top-achieving learners and schools in the 2020 NSC, but I’d like to mention some of our other schools that have improved their results significantly, with a similar or higher number of candidates writing.

• Zwartberg High School – increased from 57.4% to 90.0% (+32.6)
• Intshukumo Secondary – increased from 41.5% to 66.7% (+25.2)
• Forest Heights High School – increased from 55.5% to 72.3% (+16.8)
• Lotus Sekondêr – increased from 59.3% to 76.9% (+16.7)
• Sizimisele Secondary – increased from 48.5% to 64.6% (+16.1)

Congratulations to all schools that managed to increase their pass rates in the midst of a pandemic.

District performance

I was pleased to have visited a school in the Metro North district for the results this year. The district achieved 85.1% - our top district performance this year. The district has also ranked in the top 10 districts in the country! Congratulations to Director Wendy Horn and her team for an excellent performance.

I also congratulate Metro Central education district, which achieved 82.8%, for increasing their pass rate from last year despite the challenges of Covid-19.

They are followed by West Coast at 82.2%, Overberg at 80.4%, Eden and Central Karoo at 79.1%, Cape Winelands at 78.5%, Metro South at 78.3%, and Metro East at 73.2%.

Re-marks, re-checks, and supplementary exams

For those candidates that did not achieve their desired results, there are options. I would encourage all learners who did not pass their exams not to give up and to continue doing whatever they can to complete Grade 12.

Those that qualify for supplementary examinations must apply by the 12 March 2021. Application forms will be available at schools and on the WCED website.

Learners can apply for remarks (R120 per subject) and rechecks (R29 per subject) until 10 March 2020. They can apply using the online service: www.eservices.gov.za

More information can be found here: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/national-senior-certificate-nsc-exams-november-2020

I am pleased with the performance of the Class of 2020 in the toughest of conditions. We will share further analysis of our results in the coming days.

Matrics can access their results here: http://wcedmis.pgwc.gov.za/wcedmis/webpub2.learner_exams.home?ft=p1hp

Media Enquiries:
Kerry Mauchline
Spokesperson to Minister Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Ministry of Education
Kerry.Mauchline@westerncape.gov.za