District among the best

GEORGE NEWS - The Eden and Central Karoo Education District performed exceptionally well, achieving an overall pass rate of 89.1%, which ranks among the highest in the province.

“As a district, we are right up there,” said District Director Jewel Jonkers as she addressed the Class of 2025 at Pacaltsdorp Secondary School on Tuesday morning, 13 January.

He singled out George as the home of South Africa’s top matric learner, describing the achievement as a historic milestone for the district.

York High School’s Abigail Kok from George has emerged as the country’s top matric candidate for the Class of 2025.

She also achieved the top result in physical sciences.

Her achievement marks the fifth consecutive year that the country’s top candidate comes from the Western Cape.

York High principal, Francois Moll, with South Africa's top learner and York High head girl, Abigail Kok. Photo: York High Facebook

George pass rates

Jonkers said schools in the Eden and Central Karoo Education District have delivered some of the strongest outcomes in the Western Cape, with a bachelor’s pass rate of 46%.

For the third consecutive year, no school in Eden or the Central Karoo recorded a pass rate below 60%.

Hoërskool Outeniqua has an exceptional 95% of candidates qualifying for bachelor’s admission, placing the school among the province’s top achievers.

Both York High and Hoërskool Outeniqua achieved a remarkable 100% pass rate, while Parkdene Secondary followed closely with 95.6% and Pacaltsdorp Secondary with 92.7%.

George High recorded a strong 87.9%, Jonga Secondary 85.7% and Imizamo Yetho Secondary 84%. Eden Technical High achieved 79.8%, Heatherlands High 76.6% and Thembalethu Secondary 68.1%.

Parkdene, Pacaltsdorp, George, Jonga and Imizamo Yethu all improved their pass rates.

Other schools in the district with a 100% pass rate include Heidelberg High, Kairos Secondary, Knysna High, Langenhoven Gymnasium, Langenhoven High, Oakdale Landbouskool, the Royal Academy and Shalom.

In terms of district performance, the Eden and Central Karoo Education District ranks fourth with its pass rate of 89.1%, closely following Metro North with 89.2%. Metro East is in second place with 90.2% and Overberg first with 92.4%.

Regional results

Jonkers said the district achieved the best results in mathematics in the Western Cape and the second-best nationally. The district is also placed second in the Western Cape for life sciences and economics, third for physical sciences and English first additional language, and second for both Afrikaans home language and Afrikaans first additional language.

Jonkers commended the teachers for their dedication and emphasised that the contribution of parents should not be underestimated. “When your child is in matric, you are also in matric,” he said.

He reminded the learners that the coming year will hold opportunities for them to improve their results should they wish to rewrite any subjects.

Provincial achievements

It has been an outstanding year for the province as it recorded its highest-ever matric pass rate of 88.2%, which is an improvement on last year’s record of 86.6%. This marks the highest pass rate the province has attained since the National Senior Certificate was introduced.

Equally impressive is the bachelor’s pass rate, which rose from 47.8% to 49.2% - also the highest ever for the province and the second highest in the country.

Western Cape candidates achieved the highest mathematics pass rate in the country at 73.7%, while the physical sciences pass rate of 80.6% was the second highest nationally.

In total, 13 234 candidates earned 31 220 distinctions, giving the province the second-highest distinction rate in South Africa.

Moving forward

The next phase of work for the Eden and Central Karoo Education District will focus on strengthening bachelor-level performance and improving subject outcomes through precision support rather than pressure. Jonkers said emphasis will be placed on quality teaching, instructional leadership and targeted interventions to help more learners access higher education opportunities.