Around half the learners enrolled in 2003 made it to matric.

[Brett Nortje]

While the country largely celebrates the 75.8% matric pass rate, the more concerning statistic is the half a million learners who dropped out of school before reaching matric:

- In 2003, 1.1 million children were enrolled in grade 1.
- Of those 1.1 million learners, only 530 000 made it to matric.
- From the pool of 530 000 learners who reached matric, only 400 000 of those learners passed their matric exams. (Those 400 000 make up the 75.8% pass rate.)
- Further to this, only 150 000 learners passed with bachelor passes, allowing them access to a university education.

This news came today. the best way to ensure that everybody makes it to matric is first of all to get kids comfortable in school and speaking the same language. if they were to feel like they belong then they are half way to writing exams, all the teachers have to do then is make them listen.

Teachers may make children listen by making them feel like they don't fit in when they rebel. if they were to make them do a oral if they speak the next day, they won't learn anything as they will just want to get through it, but, it is a good punishment that takes minimal teaching time. they will not be speaking after that! if they are not speaking there is the chance they are listening, yes?