The matric class of 2015 has achieved a 70.7% pass rate down 5.1% compared to 2014’s 75.8%.
Provincial percentage: 2015 / 2014
EASTERN CAPE: 56.8% / 65.4%
KZN: 60.7% / 69.7%
LIMPOPO: 65.9% / 72.9%
NORTHERN CAPE: 69.4% / 76.4%
MPUMALANGA: 78.6% / 79%
NORTH WEST: 81.5% / 84.6%
FREE STATE: 81.6% / 82.3%
GAUTENG: 84.2% / 84.7%
WESTERN CAPE: 84.7% / 82.8%
“Between KZN, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape that is where things went wrong. The top five provinces did extremely well and for that we are very grateful and appreciative but we must say the biggest provinces did decimally badly and we are committing that we go there,” said Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga.
She added: that the three provinces contributed nine percent to the drop.
The class of 2015 recorded the highest number of grade 12 learners in the history of the basic education system in South Africa.
The total number of candidates registered for the November 2015 national senior certificate was 799,306, with 667,925 full-time and 131,381 part-time candidates.
A 110,000 more learners wrote the exams.
“I am glad to announce that the quality assurance council Umalusi, which plays a critical role in protecting the integrity of the national senior certificate exams, has after rigorous verification of all examination processes, declared the 2015 NSE exams as free, fair and credible,” said the minister.

It is understood that Dundee High has three students in the top five of the Umzinyathi Education District.  Watch out for updates throughout the day.