With only few days before the release of the 2017 Matric results, the Eastern Cape is hoping to improve its results and position.
The province has had the worst results for the past six years.
In 2017 the province showed a slight improvement, but not nearly enough to lift it from the bottom rung.
But amidst the bad performances, every year there are outstanding students, some who triumph over their adverse conditions while others just use their opportunities to the fullest.
The SABC caught up with some university students who were top achievers at their rural and township schools in the Eastern Cape.
Eastern Cape Province is the second largest province in South Africa with mostly consists of rural areas.
Education is seen as the key to a better future and a way to empower the youth, who still face a number of challenges.
The challenges increase as social ills affect communities. Poverty remains one of the biggest problems facing numerous communities.
The Education Department is looking at ways to implement mechanisms to aid scholars.
The province has the second highest percentage of learners in the country that do not pay school fees.
Many who then complete matric need financial assistance or bursaries to further their studies.
Unfortunately the narrative is not the same for everyone. Technology and resources in rural schools are limited.
Access to financial assistance is not readily available.
Student Phelokazi Toni says: “It’s different and its hard, students must work very hard, worse students that come from poor families like me, we suffer financially.”
Student Yanga Jawe says: “Last year I didn’t apply in the middle of the year, I applied in University of Fort Hare early this year and I was not accepted and I ended up in Walter Sisulu University where I pulled out because of financial issues.”
