KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka says the province aims for a 95% pass rate in this year’s matric exam. This is after the province achieved an 89.5 % pass rate in last year’s National Senior Certificate exam.

With a week to go before the start of the matric exam, Hlomuka says all logistical, administrative and security arrangements are in place.

More than 195 000 candidates have enrolled for the exams, which is a 3% increase from last year.

Of these 16 000 are part-time candidates.

Hlomuka says the department drew up improvement plans for each district at the start of the year.

Grade 12 learners attended winter schools in July.

Meanwhile, Hlomuka says the province will start a pilot project next year for online school admission applications.

Two schools, the Maritime School of Excellence in Umlazi, and the Mbuso Kubheka ICT and Engineering School of Excellence will be part of the pilot project.

Applications for admission can be done during October.

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