Pretoria - National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) chairperson, Andile Lungisa, has commended the class of 2010 for achieving an improved matric pass rate of 67.8 percent - up 7.2 percent from last year.
"As the NYDA, we are encouraged by the improvement in matric results. It demonstrates commitment by our young people to improve their lives. Credit must also be given to the Department of Basic Education for their level of preparedness, which saw pupils through; communities for their unwavering support and all the relevant stakeholders," said Lungisa.
He said the achievement came despite taking time off due to the World Cup as well as disruptions to the learning schedule brought upon by the teacher strike late last year.
Lungisa urged matrics who did not pass their exams not to give up but to review their options and try again.
There are several options available to them, including rewriting matric. "Learners should not give up on themselves because their results were not good. This is a detour in their lives; they should therefore try again."
As young people consider various options for further studies including universities, they should also consider the available option of enrolling for vocational training at Further Education and Training Colleges.
"The NYDA has begun communicating with young people the different options available to them as they further navigate their lives. Furthermore, the NYDA will publish on its website the options and young people are encouraged to visit the website," said Lungisa.
