Pretoria - Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has congratulated the Class of 2012 for achieving a 73.9% pass rate - a 3.7% improvement from 2011's 70.2%.
"We welcome the release of the final examination results for the National Senior Certificate for the Class of 2012.
"For the DHET [Department of Higher Education and Training], however, we ... encourage those who have not [passed], and raise their awareness, inform and educate them about a range of other options that are available to them within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system," he said at a briefing on Thursday in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
Nzimande said the improvement in the pass rates of Mathematics (54%, up from 46.3% in 2011) and Physical Science (61.3%, from 53.4% in 2011) was particularly encouraging.
"We have further noted an improvement in performance in key subjects like Accounting, Economics as well as History, Geography, Technical and Arts subjects. These are equally important subjects for the growth of our economy, as they are the basis for some of the scarce and critical skills our country needs."
Nzimande said the additional 29 712 learners who passed the 2012 matric exams had implications for enrolments in higher education institutions. In 2011, 348 117 candidates passed, while this figure stood at 377 829 in 2012.
In 2012, there has been an increase of in the number of learners who have achieved a Bachelors' pass, from 120 767 in 2011 to 136 047.
"This translates into an increase from 24.3% to 26.6%, or an increase of 15 280 more learners, many of whom will be seeking spaces at universities," he said.
Nzimande said the planned growth rate of the university education sector per annum going forward was at about 3%, which is what was required to reach the target of 1.5 million enrolments in higher education by 2030.
The advantage of the decrease in the number of diploma passes from 2011 to 2012 (which amounts to 1 843 less passes) meant that Universities of Technology (UoT) would be able to accommodate some of the Bachelors pass candidates in their institutions, said Nzimande.
In 2011, 85 296 candidates achieved a Certificate pass in NSC. In 2012, the number rose to 88 604.
The 3.88% increase in the Certificate passes for 2012, compared to 2011, had implications for UoT and college enrolments.
"Notwithstanding this low growth rate, UoT and College Certificate Programme opportunities should be growing at a faster rate to relieve universities of increasing Bachelor passes," said Nzimande.
He urged those who have not passed matric to contact the Career Advice Clearing House (CACH) call centre on 0860 111 673, which has a line for SMSs and "Please Call Me" on 072 204 5056. For those with internet access, the website is: http://cach.dhet.gov.za.
"No one must lose hope because they have not passed. Learning does not begin and end with a matric, but is rather a life-long experience with various options within the post-school system," he said.
There are 50 FET Colleges with 264 campuses all over the country, which offer a range of programmes that cater for most students' needs and interests ranging from Engineering, Business Studies, Art and Music to Food Services.
The 23 universities in the country will provide access to approximately 180 000 new entrants in 2013 for those wishing to pursue their studies in the fields of business and management; science, engineering and technology; humanities and education.
Public FET Colleges have a total of 100 000 spaces for the 2013 enrolments.
Nzimande also appealed to those who have not yet been accepted into an institution of higher learning to call the CACH call centre, send a free SMS or a 'Please Call Me' for information about institutions that still have spaces open for applicants at this time of the year, instead of going to stand in queues at institutions.
"Please get the correct information about available courses and admission spaces by calling 0860 111 673; or send a 'Please Call Me' or an SMS to 072 204 5056." - SAnews.gov.za
