Now that they have their results, we're sure the nearly 800 000 candidates who sat during the matric 2019 exams are breathing a collective sigh of relief.
And whether they've passed or failed (passing or achieving better results is always a possibility), being able to offload all that pressure must feel good after the what must have felt like the longest 6 weeks of their lives.
According to official data from the Department of Basic Education, at 81,3%, the 2019 national pass rate is the highest its ever been since the democratisation of our country.
Also see: St. Benedict's celebrates their 45th consecutive year of a 100% pass rate
Announcing the results via national television, Minister Angie Motshekga shared that 65.6% of the 2019 matriculants achieved bachelor and diploma pass levels, while 15.7% earned the Higher certificate pass.
She also added that matriculants across the country achieved a combined total of 156 884 distinctions.
Defining the national achievement as "a triumph" and a positive indication that the South African education system is headed in the right direction, President Cyril Ramaphosa shared his delight in the overall results.
"To the Class of 2019, you have done yourselves proud and returned the investment made in you by your families, teachers, communities and mentors."
Offering encouragement to those who fell short of a passing grade, the president said:
"Do not be discouraged, but courageously persevere towards your goals."
Outstanding year on year success by province
Each year, the department publishes several reports providing more detail on achievements.
One of these, the NSC School Performance Report, outlines the number of South African schools which earned a 100% pass rate by province.
In the 2019 edition of the report, the department also noted those schools which have achieved this tremendous feat not only this year but every year since 2015.
Some schools have been achieving this for much longer like St. Benedict's which currently celebrates its 45th consecutive year of a 100% pass rate.
Here's a look at these remarkable schools.
Eastern Cape
Global Leadership Institute
King Edward High School
Kingsridge High School
Queenstown Girls High School
Free State
Beacon SS
Bothaville SS
Breda Farm School
Bultfontein Cs
Christian Brothers College Ci/S
Dunamis Christian Ci/S
Eunice Ss
Heilbron Cs
Hoopstad Cs
Jacobsdal Landbouskool
Lekgulo Ss
Metsi-Matsho Ss
Mohaladitwe Ss
Reitz Cs
Salomon Senekal Cs
St Andrew's Cs
St Michael`s Cs
Vrede Cs
Gauteng
Afrikaanse Hoer Meisieskool
Al Ghazali
Al-Aqsa School
Al-Asr Educational Institute
Azaadville Muslim School
Balmoral College
Beth Jacobs Girls High School
Central Islamic School
Charlton Vos College Of Education
Cornerstone College Sec School
Die Heuwel Christian School
Gereformeerde Skool Dirk Postma
Hoërskool Garsfontein
Hoërskool Waterkloof
Ivy Academy
Johannesburg Muslim School
Maranatha Christian
Mcauley House School
Nizamiye Combined School
Nuwe Hoopskool
Parktown Girls High School
Pride Learning Academy
Sama High School
Sharei Torah
Sir Isaac Newton High School
Sparrow Combined
Springs Muslim School
Tukssport High School
UJ Metropolitan Academy
Willowridge Private School
The Way Christian School
Also read: UPDATE: What are the NEW matric pass requirements?
Kwazulu-Natal
Al-Falaah College
Am Moolla Spes Nova
Danville Park Girls`High School
Durban Girls`High School
Ihsaan Girls`College
Inanda Seminary School
Kwathintwa School For The Deaf
Maritzburg Muslim
Menzi High School
Northlands Girls` High School
Racing & Equestrian Academy
Siraatul Haq Islamic School
St Catherines H
Star College
Ukhahlamba H
Westville Girls H
Limpopo
Northern Muslim School
St George College
Mpumalanga
George Hofmeyer High School
Northern Cape
Hoërskool Hopetown
North West
Al-Huda Muslim School
Ferdinand Postma
Potchefstroom Gimnasium
Wesvalia High School
Western Cape
Bellville Hs
Bishops
Bloemhof High School
Boland Landbouskool
Cannons Creek School
Darun-Na’im Girls High School
Dominican Grimley-School
Herschel Girls School
La Rochelle Meisies High School
Lutzville High School
Melkbosstrand Private School
Michael Oak Waldorf School
Milnerton High School
Olyfkrans College
Paarl Girls High School
Parklands College
Rhenish Girls’ High School
Rondebosch Boys’ High School
Rustenburg Girls’ High School
Shalom Akademie
Springfield Convent Of The Holy Rosary
Stellenbosch High School
Tafelbergskool
Valsbaai High School
Vista Nova-School
Westerford High School
Wynberg Boys' High School
Stats: The National Senior Certificate 2019 School Performance Report
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