Class of 2022 ‘deserve a round of applause’
Updated | By Lauren Beukes
An education expert says the class of 2022 and teachers deserve a round of applause for their efforts and achievements over what has been a trying year.

Grade 12s scored an overall pass rate of 80.1%, compared to the 76.4% in 2021.
UKZN professor Dr Nontobeko Buthelezi says these achievements were made possible because of a joint effort.
She says it was a tough academic year.
Congratulatory messages have been pouring in for matrics, who received their National Senior Certificate exam results on Friday.
”As much as we are thinking these are the results of the student, but actually they are the results of a system that includes the students because there are students who are part of the system where there is load shedding, where there have been Covid problems, where there have been looting difficulties, unemployment,” says Buthelezi.
“So somehow we cannot divorce that from the realities of what is happening in our context.”
Buthelezi says candidates preparing for tertiary education need support and encouragement.
”When we are providing these certificates, part of it also requires us to support, to create an impression for our students that just because I have a diploma pass doesn’t mean I am going to get just about anywhere.
“And of course we might have students who have the opportunity to go into a place of work, and I think that is something we need to emphasise as well as an option. That not everybody is ready to go to a tertiary institution right now.”
ALSO READ:

MORE ON ECR:
Show's Stories
-
Tech in 2025: The future is here, and it's getting weird
The future is here, and it's getting pretty weird – and slightly frighte...
East Coast Breakfast 1 day ago -
WATCH: Kayaker briefly swallowed by humpback whale
Even after this harrowing incident, the 24-year-old can't wait to get ba...
Stacey & J Sbu 1 day, 5 hours ago