Private school pupils who passed the National Senior Certificate (NSC) through the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) achieved a 98.46% pass rate in the 2023 exams, slightly improving from the 98.42% recorded in 2022. At least 88.59% of those who passed the exams attained university entrance, a decline from 89.32% in 2022. About 8.31% qualified for entry to diploma study, while 1.57% achieved entry for study at the higher certificate level. The IEB expressed satisfaction with the 2023 exams being "free of any irregularity that may have undermined the integrity." A total of 15,180 full-time and 1,213 part-time candidates sat for the exams, with the number of candidates higher than the 12,580 in 2022.
IEC CEO Confidence Dikgole welcomed the results, stating that the impressive performance reflected the dedication and tenacity of both pupils and the teaching community. However, he acknowledged the tremendous pressure brought on learners by society, including escalating mental health issues and the competition placed on young people to perform and secure top tertiary institutions.
To ease the pressure on pupils, Dikgole suggested that success had to be viewed differently. Schools must grow and nurture confident, courageous, and independent young people, which is directly linked to their wellbeing and ability to achieve and succeed. He also emphasized that the world of education does not end after matric, but opens numerous doors and opportunities for students to release their talents and enthusiasm in a field of interest.
