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Highlights of matric 2019: Everything you need to know

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(iStock)
(iStock)

The rush pertaining to 2019 matric results has come to an end, but if you missed it, we've put together some of the highlights, so you can hold your own in a conversation on the topic.

From the top student of 2019 to the province with the best matric results, here are your crib notes: 

By the numbers

Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education, has said 504 303 learners wrote the NSC examinations in 2019.

Of these, 409 906 passed and:

186 058 obtained Bachelor passes
144 672 obtained Diploma passes
78 984 obtained Higher Certificate passes

In her statement Motshekga states that 2 136 distinctions were achieved including distinctions in critical subjects like Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics and Physical Science.


Also Read: Christel House students achieve top results for matric examinations


A new record

Over the past ten years the NSC pass rate has consistently been going up from 60% in 2009 to above 70% in recent years. The matrics of 2019 must be commended for maintaining this trend. 

The 2019 NSC overall pass rate stands at a new record of 81,3%, which is a 3,1% improvement from the 78,2% obtained in 2018.

This number represents the 409 906 candidates who passed the 2019 NSC examinations.

However, with the progressed learners excluded (learners that did not pass but was progressed to the next level), the 2019 NSC overall pass rate stands at 82,3% – a 2,9% improvement from the 79,4% achieved in 2018.

Top province

The leading province is the Free State with 88,4%, an improvement of 0,9% from 2018, however most Bachelor passes being from KwaZulu-Natal with 44 189.

2019 Provincial Pass Rate

The 2019 provincial pass percentages.


Also Read: How to improve your IEB matric exam results

Top matriculant for 2019

Madelein Dippenaar's face was filled with shock when her name was called for the top matriculant in South Africa for 2019.

"I was extremely shocked," she said to the media. "I never thought it would be possible to be quite honest and when I got the call, it was extremely unexpected. I never thought I would be in the top 10 nationally or maybe provincially."

The middle child of three daugthers, Madelein attended Paarl Gimnasium in the Western Cape, which is more than 900km from where her family home is in Augrabies, Northern Cape.

Madelein has consistently been at the top of her class since grade eight and will be pursuing a BSC degree this year.

Madelein Dippenaar, the class of 2019's top achiev

Madelein Dippenaar, the class of 2019's top achiever.


Also Read: The cream of the crop! The more than 500 top schools with a 100% pass rate in 2019 by province

Top matriculant with special needs

Tiyani Mbendzani is the top performer at a special needs school in Limpopo, and was one of the top 30 matriculants to enjoy a celebratory breakfast with minister Motshekga.

Tiyani went blind in grade five and had to drop out of his school, however the following year his dad had him enrolled at a school for the blind.

"What I have realised is that my disability never stops me from doing whatever it is that I want, and my disability is nothing," he told News24.

Tiyani says he'd like to be a state lawyer and advisor when he is a bit older, therefore he will be studying LLB at the University of Johannesburg.

Tiyani Mbendzani

Tiyani Mbendzani

Congratulations class of 2019

Congratulations to the matriculants of 2019!

The Parent24 team hope this class will continue to shine wherever they will find themselves.

Chat back:

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Read more:

Ten tips to help kids (and parents!) survive the first day of school

4 things your child can do after matric

'Just be present, hold, comfort, listen': How to cope with disappointing exam results

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