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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State (FS) congratulates the FS matric class of 2023 and wishes them well on the next step of their journey.

We also thank all teachers and parents who played a vital role in assisting these learners to achieve their results.

The Free State again obtained the first position nationally with a pass rate of 89.03%, however, the DA remains concerned about the number of learners left behind since embarking on their schooling career. According to the latest statistics released by the Department of Education, 37.2% (23 671 learners) failed grade 10 in 2023, and 25.9% (17 386 learners) failed grade 8 in the same year in the Free State.

In 2021, 61 316 learners enrolled in grade 10 in the Free State, of which only 34 451 wrote the matric exam in 2023. Thus, taking into account the learners that fell out of the schooling system between 2021 and 2023, the real pass rate of the Free State is a mere 50%. The Free State has the highest drop-out rate nationally as opposed to the DA-governed Western Cape which has the lowest drop-out rate.  The Western Cape achieved the top Mathematics pass rate at 75.4%, and the top Physical Sciences pass rate at 82.2% nationally. These are subjects which allow students to gain critical skills, and contribute positively towards the economy.

Many schools in the Free State lack basic infrastructure, such as adequate classrooms and ablution facilities. Schools are overcrowded and many has failing infrastructure. This has resulted in a lack of safety and security which makes it difficult for students to learn and succeed academically and contributes to the high rate of school dropouts.

Poverty, hunger, and a lack of access to necessities like food, clean water, or in some instances any water, and electricity can make it difficult for students to focus on their studies.

When in government, the DA will implement its Education Policy that will improve opportunities for all by ensuring that they have access to quality education that allows them to increase their potential to utilize existing opportunities and create new opportunities.  All schools must be a safe and nurturing environments for our children.

Issued by Mariette Pittaway - DA Education Spokesperson in the Free State Legislature