Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has extended his congratulations to the Matric Class of 2012, whose pass rate stands at 73.9% -- up from 2011's 70.2%.
"On behalf of government and the entire nation, we wish all the matriculants well in their future endeavours," he said.
He urged all the learners who did not acquire the marks required to study at university or universities of technology, to enrol at the country's many Further Education and Training (FET) colleges.
He also had words of encouragement for those learners who did not pass.
"I would like to make a special plea to all those who did not make it, not to lose hope but to pick themselves up and try harder as time is still on their side. They are still in the prime of their [lives] so they have an opportunity to try again," said President Zuma.
He added that it was now manifest that the decision by the current administration to separate education into two dedicated departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training respectively, had begun to bear fruit.
However, said the President, the recent Annual National Assessment (ANA) results for 2012 showed clearly that much more still needed to be done. - SAnews.gov.za
