'Better foundation, better outcomes'

EDUCATION EXPERTS: ABOUT 40% DON'T REACH NSC

- Thando Nondywana

The matric results reflect steady progress, but experts stress the need to improve foundational learning and address declining participation in critical subjects to sustain long-term education quality.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the results demonstrated a maturing education system, but there was much work to be done to improve the quality of outcomes.

Mary Metcalfe, an education policy expert, described the results as progress, but emphasised that the focus must shift to strengthening foundational learning, particularly in literacy and numeracy.

"If we strengthen foundations in primary school, as the minister has outlined, then we will be on the right track."

"The minister made an important point about bachelor passes as a measure of quality. While there's been an improvement in the number of pupils achieving this qualification, quality should be built from the foundation and early learning stages.

"It's a longer-term solution compared to crash-coursing Grade 12 pupils, but it's essential for sustained improvement."