Al Aqsa High School in Lenasia Achieves Exceptional Results in Matric Exams

As the class of 2021 celebrates their matric results, Al Aqsa High School in Lenasia has achieved a 99% matric pass rate, down from the 100% the school attained last year. 

A total of 93% of candidates at Al Aqsa School obtained a bachelor’s pass, an outcome that will allow them to study towards a degree at a tertiary institution.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced that the matric class of 2021 had achieved a pass rate of 76.4%, up from 76.2% in 2020.

Motshekga released results on Thursday saying the class of 2021 was the most affected by the COVID-19 because they had to endure two unrelenting years of exposure to the pandemic.

The Free State was the top-performing province, followed by Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Speaking to Wired2News Al Aqsa principal Hamida Moosa said despite the challenges, Al Aqsa High School has done exceptionally well achieving a total of 218 distinctions. 

“This cohort of candidates have shattered our previous records in that for the first time in the history of Al Aqsa School. We have nine candidates who have scored the coveted ‘full house’, obtaining seven distinctions , a distinction in each subject. Twenty-three candidates have obtained an ‘A’ Aggregate. Five learners, furthermore, have achieved an aggregate of 90% and above. This means that 10% of candidates have obtained a full house.” 

Moosa said one of the learners was unable to achieve the minimum requirements for a matric pass.

“With the high enrolment rates at our school, this is almost inevitable. But we need to learn from this – when our learners choose subjects, they must do so wisely, playing to their strengths thereby maximizing their chances of success.” 

Meanwhile, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has applauded the matric class of 2021 for perseverance through very difficult times in South Africa’s education system to complete its National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.