We were holding our breath, but results better than anticipated - Umalusi
South Africa has a 76.2% overall result for #MatricResults2020
Prof John Volmink, the head of Umalusi, speaks to Refilwe Moloto about the process leading up to the release of the matric results.
It is a 5.1 percentage point drop from last year's pass rate but in the context of this past year Umalusi head, Prof John Volmink says they are pleased.
We did not expect results to go up this year, and the results better than what we anticipated.
Prof John Volmink, Head - Umalusi
We were holding our breath, and when the overall results came out we were pleased, and they were also credible.
Prof John Volmink, Head - Umalusi
The year after democracy came into being in the country in 1995 the pass rate was 52%.
When we started this democracy in 1995, and it was the first time we had an examination under the new democratic era the pass rate was 52%.
Prof John Volmink, Head - Umalusi
So we should never forget that. We are a nation on the rise. There will be a few inflection points but we are going up year after year.
Prof John Volmink, Head - Umalusi
He says last year about 700,000 students enrolled for Grade 12.
But in the end, we only had 578,000 that wrote the exam.
Prof John Volmink, Head - Umalusi
He says while the attrition rate is high, absenteeism was less than in previous years.
Listen to the interview with Prof Volmink in the audio below:

Source : https://www.123rf.com/photo_68962722_school-boy-writing-close-up-pencil-in-children-hand-.html
More from Local

Sars plans to tax retirement funds if you leave SA, target offshore assets
The proposal to tax retirement fund members when no longer tax-resident in SA is not unreasonable, says Prof. Osman Mollagee.
Read More
Med scheme covers chemo treatment but not weekly Covid test required by hospital
Consumer ninja Wendy Knowler follows up on the case of a patient who'd been paying his membership dues for more than 40 years.
Read More
No tax increases: A 'good news' Budget but SA not out of the woods
'We owe a lot of people a lot of money' says Tito Mboweni. Wide-ranging reaction to Budget 2021 on The Money Show.
Read More
J&J jab: WC health workers must bring ID and job proof on top of vaccine ticket
The Western Cape Health Department says it's implementing additional security measures after reports of vaccine queue-jumping in the province.
Read More
Music teacher becomes first woman to swim breaststroke from Robben Island
Kim Prytz took six hours to complete the swim from Robben Island to Melkbos, raising money for vulnerable families in Capricorn.
Read More
Woman gets Covid-19 from lung transplant. This expert blames weak donor testing
An organ transplant recipient in the US died of Covid-19 two months after contracting the virus from her donor's infected lungs.
Read More
Man due in court over theft of 'irreplaceable' San cave art
Ron Martin of the South African Heritage Resources Agency says the art is valuable beyond estimation.
Read More
Karl Bremer Hospital becomes fourth vaccination site in Cape Town
The Karl Bremer Hospital near Belville is the lastest site where healthcare workers are able to receive Covid-19 vaccines in the metro.
Read More
[WATCH LIVE] Budget 2021: Mboweni dives into state of South Africa's economy
All eyes were on South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni as he delivers his 2021 Budget Speech on Wednesday at 2pm.
Read More
'We quit our jobs to make jam' - Couple shares success story
Jacobs Jam Company is a level 1 B-BBEE, female, youth-owned jam and sauce manufacturer, located in Ceres.
Read MoreMore from Politics

No tax increases: A 'good news' Budget but SA not out of the woods
'We owe a lot of people a lot of money' says Tito Mboweni. Wide-ranging reaction to Budget 2021 on The Money Show.
Read More
[WATCH LIVE] Budget 2021: Mboweni dives into state of South Africa's economy
All eyes were on South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni as he delivers his 2021 Budget Speech on Wednesday at 2pm.
Read More
'Matric results are a superficial measurement of education'
Refilwe Moloto chats to Education strategy consultant Raees Khan and education law specialist Dr Jaco Deacon about matric results.
Read More
Twitter has strong feelings about renaming PE to Gqeberha (and pronouncing it!)
Gqeberha is the isiXhosa name for Walmer Township, one of the first and oldest Port Elizabeth townships.
Read More
'School Life Orientation plays a key role in pupils decision-making and success'
Western Cape Education Department Senior Curriculum Planner: Life Orientation/Life Skills Ismail Teladia talks to Refilwe Moloto.
Read More
Unemployment rises to 32.5%, 7.2 million South Africans without jobs - StatsSA
Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke says easing lockdown regs will allow people to move from non-economically active category.
Read More
[EXPLAINER] Minister Creecy on why W Cape small-scale fishing rights scrapped
The Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister is heading to the High Court to have the current fishing rights scrapped,
Read More
'It is a crisis' - 6 days with no water in Makhanda
Gift of the Givers has been trying to assist. Founder and chair, Imtiaz Sooliman says it is a crisis that has entered its sixth day.
Read More
Only 52% of South Africans willing to get Covid jab - survey
Andrea Rademeyer CEO & Founder of Ask Afrika discusses the results of the latest survey.
Read More
Street lights a simple way to keep woman safe in Khayelitsha, not implemented
Mail & Guardian contributor Robyn Porteus says practical solutions need to be prioritised.
Read More