Pretoria - Education stakeholders across the country have welcomed the Class of 2010's pass rate of 67.8 percent.
They described the 7.2 percent increase from 2009 as an impressive and remarkable achievement.
An elated President of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) Thobile Ntola, said the huge improvement did not come as a surprise, as teachers had geared themselves for 2010.
"We must claim the victory. This is not manna from heaven. We believe that the efforts of teachers and learners in participating in additional tuition before and after the World Cup and the public service strike were successful and prevented a decline in the pass rate.
"We are happy with the fact that not only did we have a pass rate increase, but an increase in the quality as well," said Ntola.
Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie spokesperson, Chris Klopper, said the results were a remarkable improvement. "You don't need a big adjustment to get positive results, just be in class on time and study hard," Klopper said.
President of the Professional Educators Union, Maggie Makgopa, congratulated the Basic Education Department for making it against all odds.
"This has shown us that it is possible to work in the momentum that was put in place in 2010. If we can maintain it, our schooling system will be in a better position and sustain these results," Makgopa said.
Ezrah Ramasehla, the president of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa, said the results were pleasing considering the several challenges faced by the class of 2010. Despite so much pessimism, given the impact of the World Cup and the teachers' strike, the exams had gone off well and the results were impressive, he said.
"Focused interventions, particularly towards the end of the year for learners in the FET phase, have paid dividends. The results have shown what can be achieved when stakeholders work together to achieve a common goal," said Ramasehla.
Education specialist Graeme Bloch said the results showed that even in the worst circumstances, the country can make things happen, noting that South Africa can sustain the results through hard work and focus.
"The department ran a good show but the credit goes to learners and teachers. I don't question the results credibility ... this is the beginning," said an optimistic Bloch.
South African Council of Education Chief Operations Officer, Tsepi Dipholo, attributed the positive outcome of the results to learners, especially teachers who had overcome challenges by putting in more effort into their work.
