While the national pass rate for the 2007 Grade 12 Examinations has dropped, Limpopo province, and especially Vhembe district, improved its pass rate.

Vhembe showed "a massive improvement" said Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Limpopo’s MEC for Education, at the official announcement of the results on December 28 at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane.

A total of 105 932 pupils wrote matric in Limpopo and the pass rate improved from 55% in 2006 to 58% in 2007, moving up from the last position to second last. Eastern Cape had a pass rate of 57.1%. Western Cape (80.6%) and Gauteng (74.6%) took the top positions. Vhembe district improved its pass rate from 55.9% in 2006 to 60% in 2007. Per district, Vhembe came second after Capricorn, where the pass rate was 63.1%. Waterberg, Mopani and Sekhukhune are the other three districts who performed in that order.

Dr Motsoaledi warned that they have developed the technical know-how to analyse results per circuit "so that circuit managers can also start nursing some headaches."

For 2007, the top Vhembe Circuit was Malamulele Central with 1 017 candidates and an 83.2% pass rate. The SSE pass rate (university exemption) was 27.8%.

The most improved school in the province was Mokgalaka Molemole Secondary School that improved from 0% pass rate in 2006 to 83.3% pass rate in 2007.

Vhembe had 10 schools in the top 40 schools in the province. According to the official document, their results are: at Mbilwi Secondary School 142 wrote, 142 passed (100%), 139 passed SSE, that is a 97.9% pass with exemption; at Thengwe Senior Secondary School 231 wrote, 228 passed (98.7%) and 170 passed SSE (73.6%); at Eric Louw Secondary School 67 wrote, 66 passed (98.5%) and 27 passed SSE (40.3%); at Mbanyele High School 59 wrote, 58 passed (98.3%) and 30 passed SSE (50.8%); at EPP Mhinga Senior Secondary School 135 wrote, 132 passed (97.8%) and 63 passed SSE ($6.7%); at Louis Trichardt High School 117 wrote, 114 passed (97.4%) and 45 passed SSE (35.9%); at Risinga High School 79 wrote, 76 passed (96.2%) and 36 passed SSE (45.6%); at Tyani Secondary School 76 wrote, 73 passed (96.1%) and 31 passed SSE (40.8%); at Matavhela Secondary School 94 wrote, 90 passed (95.7%) and 20 passed SSE (21.3%) and at Khwevha High School 181 wrote, 173 passed (95.6%) and 89 passed SSE (49.2%).

Vhembe district had eight learners in the top 30 Grade 12 achievers. Vhembe learners won seven of the 17 subject prizes.