PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has congratulated all the learners who sat through the 2013 National Senior Certificate examinations hailing the results as a significant improvement in the Matric Pass Rate as the highest since the dawn of freedom and democracy.

The national pass rate increased from 73.9% in 2012 to 78.2% in 2013. “Education will take this country to prosperity which is why it is one of government’s five key priorities. We are pleased the consistently upward trend in the matric results.

In 2009, government set a target to obtain 175 000 bachelor’s passes by 2014.

“Clearly the target of 175 000 bachelor’s passes is reachable given that the class of 2013 has achieved 171 755 passes. We urge the 2014 class to work very hard to bring us closer to the target,” said Zuma.

The President reminded the youth that there was now an improved range of learning options to meet the demands of those who passed matric but did not meet the requirements for university entrance, with government having expanded spaces and options at Further Education and Training (FET) colleges countrywide.