South Africa’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) Achieves Historic 87.3% Pass Rate in 2024

The 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results have set a new benchmark for South Africa’s education system, with a record-breaking pass rate of 87.3%, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced on Monday night. This milestone represents the highest pass rate in the country’s history, marking a significant achievement for both students and educators.
The 2024 pass rate marks a remarkable improvement from the 82.9% recorded in 2023, with every province showing progress in comparison to the previous year. The increase reflects a concerted effort by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and stakeholders across the education sector to enhance the quality of learning and support for learners nationwide.
Minister Gwarube highlighted a series of encouraging trends in the 2024 results, emphasizing greater inclusivity and higher participation rates. The number of full-time candidates writing the NSC examinations increased from 691,160 in 2023 to 705,291 in 2024. This increase reflects the country’s growing commitment to ensuring that more students have access to quality education and the opportunity to complete their schooling successfully.
Equally significant is the rise in the number of learners with special education needs taking the NSC exams. The number increased from 5,288 in 2023 to 6,470 in 2024, a 22.4% increase that underscores the education system’s efforts to accommodate learners with diverse needs.
Additionally, 556,726 learners who are beneficiaries of social grants sat for the NSC exams in 2024, up from 543,788 in 2023. This marks an increase of 12,938 candidates, indicating that a greater number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds are completing their education and earning the opportunity to further their academic or career paths.
More than 615,000 learners passed the NSC exams in 2024, with 47.8% qualifying for admission to bachelor’s degree studies—a notable improvement from 40.9% in 2023. This achievement is seen as a step forward in providing young South Africans with the necessary qualifications to pursue higher education and career prospects.
The province of KwaZulu-Natal led the country with the highest number of bachelor passes, totaling 84,470, followed by Gauteng with 66,979 and the Eastern Cape with 45,662. These provinces are seeing significant strides in their educational outcomes, contributing to the national improvement in overall performance.
A key highlight of the 2024 results was the fact that 67% of bachelor passes came from schools in Quintiles 1 to 3, which represent underprivileged areas. These communities are seeing more and more learners qualifying for university entrance, a testament to the government’s focus on ensuring educational equity across socio-economic divides.
“This means that poorer communities are producing more and more candidates who can go on to become doctors, engineers, accountants, and scientists,” Minister Gwarube remarked. “We are witnessing the transformation of South Africa’s education system, with a rising number of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieving success and opening doors to opportunities they may not have had otherwise.”
The 2024 NSC results not only mark a historic achievement but also reflect the ongoing progress in improving educational access and quality in South Africa. With every province showing improvement and more learners qualifying for further education, the future looks promising for the country’s next generation.
Minister Gwarube expressed pride in the achievements of both students and educators, emphasizing that the increased participation and qualification rates are the result of tireless efforts at all levels of the education system.
“As we celebrate these results, we must remember that they are a reflection of the hard work and resilience of our learners, teachers, and parents,” she said. “While challenges remain, we are making significant strides in providing young South Africans with the tools they need to succeed in the world beyond school.”
The results mark a new chapter for the country’s education system, signaling a brighter, more inclusive future for learners from all walks of life.