IEB National Senior Certificate 2013

9580 full time and 586 part time candidates from 185 schools across the country wrote the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) National Senior Certificate examinations in November 2013.

This year saw an increase of an additional 621 learners that wrote the IEB examination, compared with 2012. This increase came from 4 new institutions that have joined the IEB as well as from increases in learner numbers at existing schools.

The 2013 pass rate is 98.56%, comparable to last year's pass rate of 98.2%. All candidates that passed achieved a pass that is good enough to enter tertiary study at one of the three levels. 85% of the cohort achieved entry to degree study and 12% qualified for entry to diploma study. 1.5% achieved entry for study at the Higher Certificate level.

The IEB examinations were problem-free, displaying the highest professional standards at both the school level as well as at the IEB. The examining panels consist of top educationalists who keep abreast of best practice locally and internationally. Marking is of the highest quality and accuracy.

The tight control of operations, the strict adherence to deadlines, and the meticulous attention to detail ensure that candidates receive the best possible attention. UMALUSI, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, once again approved the results of all IEB candidates, thereby indicating that the assessment procedures were appropriate.

"It is no secret that talent or intelligence alone does not produce academic success and excellent results in the NSC examination. Such achievement is the result of many years of hard work from these candidates. It is true too that good teaching and access to learning resources do assist, but without the commitment of a learner to play his or her part, it is impossible to have this success. I must emphasise the role played by teachers and parents in supporting these young people to reach this important milestone," says Anne Oberholzer, CEO of the IEB.

"The passing of Nelson Mandela serves to remind us once again of his wisdom. One observation he made was that a good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. While today we celebrate the ‘good heads' of these young adults who have earned their right to embark on the next stage of their lives, it is pertinent that we remind them of Madiba's powerful words so that they remember the importance of a good heart in all that they undertake.

"In our modern age, citizens have access to information from many different and often conflicting quarters. In order to make sense of our world, to make the right choices and do what is best for the greater good, we have to be active citizens, fully engaged in debates on important ethical aspects of our world. This requires a critical analysis of what confronts us and thereafter an evaluation of the best option. The educational experience of these learners has laid their foundations and placed them on the path to become South Africa's political, social and economic leaders of tomorrow," comments Anne.

The 2013 IEB results also include 55 candidates who offer the Combined NSC-Abitur, a joint German and South African qualification with a minimum of 9 subjects, written by learners in three of the German schools in South Africa - Deutsche Schule Johannesburg, Pretoria and Kapstadt. Up to four of their subjects are NSC subjects, offered through the IEB and the remaining subjects are Abitur subjects, offered through the German education authorities. All these learners have passed well enough for them to qualify to further their studies at universities in South African or Germany.

The majority of IEB schools are affiliated to one of a number of recognised associations of independent schools. The affiliation of a school to a recognised association or to a group of schools provides parents with the reassurance that the school is quality assured by a parent organisation and is required to abide by a specified code of conduct which includes ethical governance practices and the provision of quality education. The IEB advises parents to enquire about and be assured of an independent school's affiliations before enrolling their children at the school.

A number of schools that write the IEB NSC examination are also part of various chain schools which include the Ashton Colleges, the Centurus Colleges, the Curro schools and the REDDAM House schools.

 Background for media:

The IEB has 9580 full time and 586 part time candidates in 2013, registered at 185 IEB affiliated schools across the country as follows:

The remaining 337 candidates attend 13 independent schools in Namibia, Swaziland and Mozambique. The Gauteng numbers include learners registered with two distance learning institutions which have their head offices in Gauteng. These institutions have both full time and part time learners who live in areas across the country. They are registered with the distance learning institution which manages their lesson delivery as well as the assessment requirements and in Grade 12 these adhere strictly to the NSC requirements and are moderated and verified by the IEB.

 About the IEB

The IEB is an independent assessment agency separate from State and Provincial examination boards operating within the constraints of national legislation and provisions of the national quality assurance body, Umalusi. Umalusi has granted the IEB accreditation for the assessment of the National Senior Certificate.

The IEB offers examinations for client schools at the Grade 12 level, in line with national policy, based on the National Curriculum Statements and using various forms of assessment, including final summative examination and continuous assessment - i.e. orals, practicals and portfolios.

The School Section acts in accordance with Umalusi prescriptions and the provisions of Higher Education, using professional educationalists who are practising teachers in various subject disciplines. These teachers are active members of IEB Subject User Groups which engage with the curriculum and make recommendations on assessment practice based on real school experience.

Statement issued by Anne Oberholzer, IEB, December 31 2013

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