The Western Cape matric class of 2022 has beaten the odds and increased the provincial matric pass rate to 81,4%, with 49 102 candidates passing their exams – the largest number of successful candidates ever.
Five out of the 13 high schools in the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek areas recorded flawless pass rates, with four schools – Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof, Rhenish Girls’ High, Hoërskool Stellenbosch and Stellenbosch Waldorf School – maintaining the 100% streak, and Paul Roos Gymnasium increasing to a 100% pass.
Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof also boasts the second-best matriculant in the Western Cape, Anna-Mart Louw, who also placed in the top 30 learners in the country. She boasts a 98% average, with As in all her subjects, including 100% in maths and engineering graphics and design.
David Maynier, provincial education minister, said what makes the achievement of the province’s matrics all the more extraordinary is that the class of 2022 was at the greatest disadvantage due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other disruptions during the exam period.
“This class was one of the last to go back to school in 2020, and were not at school every day during 2021,” he pointed out. “Their curriculum was trimmed for three years, but the matric exams tested the full content. And they did not have any exam practice in Grade 10 and 11.
“The matrics struggled with the ongoing challenge of load-shedding. While we were able to conduct all of our exams successfully despite the power cuts, many learners were left in the dark in the evenings when they needed to study. So raising the pass rate this year really is an outstanding achievement.”
Faced with the challenges of the pandemic and load-shedding, they could have been tempted to give up, but Maynier said this matric cohort showed incredible grit, and gave their all, putting in hundreds of extra hours of work, and investing in their own futures.
The National Senior Certificate results of local high schools’ are as follows:
. Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof maintained a 100% pass rate;. Cloetesville High increased from 69,8% in 2021 to 78% in 2022;. Hoërskool Franschhoek declined from 100% in 2021 to 97,7% in 2022;. Groendal Sekondêr declined from 82,3% in 2021 to 71,1% in 2022;. Kayamandi Secondary declined from 79,4 in 2021 to 70,5% in 2022;. Kylemore Sekondêr increased from 89,6% in 2021 to 95,1% in 2022;. Lückhoff Sekondêr declined from 79,9% in 2021 to 69,7% in 2022;. Makupula Secondary declined 84,6% in 2021 to 84% in 2022;. Paul Roos Gymnasium increased from 99,6% in 2021 to 100% in 2022;. Rhenish Girls’ High maintained a 100% pass; . Hoërskool Stellenbosch maintained a 100% pass; . Stellenbosch Waldorf School maintained a 100% pass; and. Stellenzicht Sekondêr declined from 73,2% in 2021 to 59,3% in 2022.
