Results for the 787,000 matric candidates who wrote their matric exams in November 2019, have been approved for release by Umalusi.
This includes:
616,754 full-time; and
170,964 part-time candidates
Improved quality of question papers
There was an increase in the number of subject marks that were left unchanged, and this indicates that the quality of subjects was improving.
No leaks of question papers
The 2019 matric exams did not have any question paper leaks. Umalusi did however raise concerns about the drop in candidate numbers in mathematics and the increase of candidates in MathsLit.
Load shedding
On the 16 and 17 October the writing of CAT and IT in some parts of the country were affected by loadshedding.
Concerns about maths papers
Late last year parents raised concerns about both matric maths papers set this year, which were written in October, as they feared they could negatively affect their children’s final results.
The external moderator said the exam was fair; all topics in exams are in the CAPS document and examination guidelines, no questions out of scope.
UMALUSI said there seemed to be a problem in the way in which Mathematics is tacked in schools, the learners struggled with cognitive stretch factors.
Adjusted results
47 Subjects were left unchanged. They were not adjusted, the marks remained exactly as they are.
These includes:
Mathematics
Economics
Mathematical Literacy
Geography
Accounting
Physical Science
Geography
Subjects adjusted upwards includes:
Life Science
Technical Mathematics
Technical Science
Religion Studies
Most home languages
The marks that were adjusted downwards includes:
Business Studies
Tshivenda Home Language.
Specific subject comments
MATHEMATICS
There is an increase in the number of learners taking Mathematical Literacy and a decrease in Mathematics learners but still, Mathematics is not progressing.
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
There is some progress in Physical Science.
ACCOUNTING
Learners taking Accounting is decreasing but the performance is always going down, including this year.
GEOGRAPHY
The subject had a notable improvement from last year.
HISTORY
There is a problem with learners analytical thinking in the subject.
Results will be announced next week
The matric results for the “Matric 2019” class will come out to matriculants on 8 January 2020. On Tuesday 7 January the Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, will announce the national and provincial results at a news conference.
