Matric pass rate 78%
The 2013 matric pass rate exceeded the basic education department's target by reaching 78.2%, Minister Angie Motshekga said in Johannesburg on Monday.
In 2012 it was 73.9%, she said in Johannesburg.
The department had aimed for a 75% pass rate by 2014.
There were 576 490 full-time and 130 646 part-time matriculants for 2013.
Schools in poor communities performed better, with 1 832 schools from the lower three quintiles achieving pass rates of 80% and higher. Matrics from these schools got a total of 78 407 bachelor passes, required for admission to universities.
"Hopefully my colleague, [Higher Education] Minister [Blade] Nzimande and his team at higher education have made preparations to enrol them at higher education institutions and FET colleges.
"The notion that the schools from the more elite communities are propping up the pass rate is therefore invalid," Motshekga said.
There were gains in pass rates for the "gateway subjects", mathematics and physical science.
A total of 59.1% of pupils passed maths in 2013. In physical science the pass rate was 67.4%.
Every province, except the Northern Cape, improved its pass rate compared to 2012.
The Free State was the top performing province, increasing its pass rate from 81.1% in 2012 to 87.4% in 2013.
The province with the lowest pass rate was the Eastern Cape with 64.9%, up from 61.4% the previous year.
The results for the other provinces, for 2012 and 2013, were:
Western Cape: 82.8% and 85.1%,
Limpopo: 66.9% and 71.8%. It had a 48% pass rate in 2009.
Northern Cape: 74.6% and 74.5%,
KwaZulu-Natal: 73.1% and 77.4%,
Mpumalanga: 70% and 77.6%,
Gauteng: 83.9% and 87%,
North West: 79.5% and 87.2%.
In 12 main subjects, the matric class of 2013 achieved 67 855 distinctions, up from 55 650 the previous year.
"I congratulate the class of 2013 for being the best class since the advent of democracy," Motshekga said.
She encouraged pupils to excel in higher education and make their contributions to South Africa.
"For those of you that have not done so well, do not lose heart, there are various options still available to you."
Motshekga said 99% of ordered textbooks, workbooks and stationery had been delivered for 2014. The remainder would be delivered before schools opened, she said.
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