Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

Today is the great R-day - results day - for more than 800000 matric candidates in the country, who will know whether their 12 years of school have paid off.

Minister of Education Naledi Pandor will announce the results in Pretoria today.

The national Department of Education yesterday said it hoped this year's pass rate would be higher than the previous year's 66,6percent.

Spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said though it had been a bad year he hoped the department would do better this time around.

Ngqengelele said the midyear teachers' strike was a serious blow but the department hoped the recovery plan had had a positive effect.

"We are waiting with bated breath for the announcement and hope our pupils have done better to win the pride of their parents and the country."

Meanwhile, Limpopo education spokesman Ndo Mangala said he hoped the province had performed better than last year.

Limpopo recorded the worst results last year with a 55,7percent pass rate.

"With the cooperation we received after the strike from teachers, parents and most importantly the pupils, we believe we are ready for the results."

Mangala said the department would award bursaries to pupils with good marks in mathematics and physical science.

He said provincial MEC Aaron Motsoaledi would announce the results at Bolivia Lodge, outside Polokwane, at 9am today.