Seventy-four per cent of matric learners nationwide have not passed their matric well enough to be admitted for a bachelor degree at university. The 2012 matric pass-rate is 73.9%, 3.7% better than 2011’s 70.2%. 

But while the number of those who obtained a bachelor pass has improved at 26 %, most students will have to enroll for lower qualifications if they choose to further their studies. 

Basil Manuel, president of teachers’ union NAPTOSA, says this is worrisome. Provincial Education departments will release their matric results today. 

Provinces will have a lot to boast about, as all of them have improved except the Western Cape which has achieved an 82.8% per cent matric pass-rate, marginally down from the 82.9% per cent last year. 

It emerged last night that the national matric pass rate had edged up to 73.9% per cent an improvement from last year’s 70-point-two per cent. The number of learners who have passed well enough to access tertiary education has also gone up to 54%. 

Provinces have much to celebrate this year. Even historically troublesome provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape have improved this year. The Northern Cape also made headlines last year when some learners were prevented from going to school but it would seem the department has made special arrangements for those who did not write. 

Even the quality of the matric passes has improved, more learners than ever have achieved bachelor passes and there were improvements in pass rates in all subjects. 

Today provinces will be analysing their results, Gauteng edged the Western Cape out of position one, and Free State made it third at 81.1 %.

For more details go to http://www.sabc.co.za