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The DA would like to wish the 2023 matric class the best of luck as they write the first of their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations today. We believe that all their hard work and preparation will pay off.

We would also like to express our gratitude to the many teachers that have gone the extra mile to prepare these learners for the coming exams. We know that many learners and educators have had to overcome many obstacles in the pursuit of quality education.

Between access to learner transport, attending overcrowded classes in unsafe and unsanitary schools, and lack of necessary resources to ensure quality teaching, the matric cohort of 2023 showed remarkable perseverance – according to the DBE, 42.1% of the 2021 matric class dropped out before reaching this milestone.

We urge that matriculants keep their hopes and dreams in mind when studying and writing their exams and work hard in this final stretch of their school careers. We hope for positive outcomes when the Department of Basic Education announces the results on 18 January next year.

As always, the DA will be keeping a close eye on the examinations, and the marking and verification processes. We hope for an improvement of the real matric pass rate. More than 3.4 million youth in South Africa, aged 15 to 24, are not in education, employment, or skills training (NEET) – the Department needs to do better to ensure that every learner has the best possible chance for an excellent future.

The DA will continue to hold the ANC government to account, and work towards a coalition government that could unseat them to provide a stable and growing economy that will allow the youth of South Africa to pursue their dreams.

Issued by Baxolile (Bax) Nodada MP - DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education