Matric results spark celebrations for some

Matric students finding out their results

Some matrics have been celebrating their results since midnight despite the Department of Education's 6am embargo for the release of matric results hundreds of learners had managed to find out how they'd fared earlier this morning.

Even though it was good news for many matriculants, the national 2007 matric pass rate has decreased slightly from last year.

The Department of Education says 65.2% of the more than 560 000 matrics at public schools have passed. This represents a 1.3% decrease from last year.

The Western Cape and Gauteng are the two top provinces with pass rates of 80% and 74.6%. However the Eastern Cape and Limpopo are the two provinces with the lowest pass rates at 57% and 58%.

Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi says it's not the end of the road for the 21 000 matrics who failed.

The number of pupils able to take advantage of university study has remained consistently above 85 000, even though the endorsement rate has declined from 18 percent in 2004 to 15% in 2007.

Matric results are now available in voice format on the SABC's mobile news service NewsBreak 082 152. Students can select option 6 and follow the instructions using their ID and exam numbers to get their individual results read out to them.

Calls are charged at standard value added service rates.