Higher Education South Africa (HESA) would like to congratulate the 334 718 learners from the NSC Class of 2009 for their achievement in attaining the NSC. HESA’s bow also goes to the 417 schools in South Africa which have attained a 100 per cent pass rate and to those schools and learners who have obtained distinctions in the various subject areas. Such achievement could only have been possible through the capability and effectiveness of school leadership, the calibre and conscientiousness of educators, the focus and diligence of learners and the support of parents and surrounding communities.

HESA particularly congratulates those learners who have qualified for admission into higher education in 2010. Moreover, HESA congratulates the Department of Basic Education as well as the provincial departments of education and Umalusi, in its quality assurance role, for ensuring the integrity of the assessment process. HESA hopes that the security breaches in the assessment process, however minor, that have been experienced particularly in the Mpumalanga province, will be dealt with decisively so that the public confidence in the NSC qualification is maintained and the quality of graduates is not in doubt. In this regard, HESA commends the Minister’s decision in ‘dissolving and reconstituting’ the examination units in Mpumalanga.