This follows confirmation this week by the education minister, Naledi Pandor, that this year all pupils will, for the first time, be writing papers at the equivalent of higher grade in all subjects.
Well at least the standard is going up and not down...
And it looks like it does not come as a total surprise to teachers and pupils.
Maine said matriculants had been following the new curriculum since grade 10 and their teachers had been attending training courses to help them get up to speed with teaching it.
No doubt with a higher standard, some pupils will not make it, and surely the pass rate will come down. But what use is a substandard qualification to anyone.
But I agree with 'Luthon. Not everyone will fit into this one standard. Pupils with other needs might well fall to the wayside. I know too little about the current curriculum to know whether they will be catered for.