“We should be mindful, that the Class of 2022 was in Grade 10, when the Covid pandemic wreaked havoc in our country, more especially in the education sector. With a considerable learning backlog and very little exposure to formal assessments, with their dedication and commitment, they have shown us what can be achieved.”

"Of course, all of this was possible through matric interventions and support programmes which the Department facilitated in all our schools and Districts. This is also an indication that our education system in the Province is stabilising and we are witnessing a gradual improvement in our matric results over the past three years; in 2020 we stood at 66%, in 2021 at 71.4%, and in 2022 at 74.2%.

"It is quite noteworthy that all these improvements have not matched or surpassed the national average, which for the year under review stands at 80.1%. We are about 6% below the national average and this demonstrates the kind of work and planning that we must put up this year.

Saul quoted former president Nelson Mandela:

Saul said these words of Mandela must encourage us to never give up, that with education we’re all capable of so much more.

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