On 20 January, Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, announced that the 2021 matric pass rate is 76.4%, a slight improvement from the 2020 pass rate of 76.2%.

Motshekga said the Class of 2021 must be commended despite the fact that it was tough due to the pupils having to study under the pandemic restrictions. With 733 198 full-time candidates, this was the largest class in the history of matric exams.

Basic Education Department’s director-general, Mathanzima Mweli said the cohort went through extraordinary school years. “In 2020, when lockdown started, they were in Grade 11. Their schooling was disrupted in many ways. This class had to learn at home, away from their peers, away from their teachers. This class needed psychosocial support … as many of them lost their parents, teachers and caregivers,” Mweli said.

In Orange Farm, most of the schools saw improvements while there were slight drops in some instances.

Below are Orange Farm schools’ performance for 2021…

Aha Thuto Secondary –  63.8%

Imbali Combined School – 100%

Isikhumbuzo Secondary – 82.4%

Jabulile Secondary School – 72%

Leshata Secondary School – 83.9%

Masibambane College – 96.9%

Mphethi Mahlatsi Secondary – 77.9%

Orange Farm Secondary – 69.6%

Qoqa Secondary – 78.5%

Raphela Secondary – 71%

Siyaphambili Secondary – 80.4%

Thamsanqa Secondary – 62.2%

Thetha Secondary – 77.9%

Vulanindlela Secondary – 42.2%

Submitted by: Cornelius D. Mofokeng.