The matric results came out this week: Free State came out tops, and Limpopo was at the bottom. At least that is what we are supposed to read from the percentages in order to be joyous or sad.

The debate as usual will continue to focus on trivial things like the reasons why Limpopo is has the lowest pass mark or which kid got most distinctions.

This is indicative of how far we continue to miss the point. South Africa runs around like Gauteng’s education MEC Panyaza Lesufi whose hobby and focus are dealing with non strategic issues year in year out.

Nobody is bothered to go deeper into the submerged body of the iceberg: the systematic issues facing our education problems that remain on the surface like grime.

With this in mind, there is actually nothing much to read into the matric results, for one big reason. A top class school like Michaelhouse or Pretoria Boys High School will always be at an advantageous position compared to many underprivileged schools located mainly in black areas.

The stats show that there are some schools which obtained a 100% pass rate and about six schools that recorded a zero percent pass rate.

Statisticians and experts will probably be satisfied that a distribution curve is representative and that the 0% schools are statistically insignificant.

However, the matters of this nature including unemployment and poverty are supposed to be based on real numbers, and not averages.

The mere fact that the schools are listed together to produce averages per province, it does not change the fact that we have done pretty little to change our education system.

Therefore, deeper analysis of the results will present a much different and complex figure other than FS topping the list and Limpopo scoring low.

No matter where resourced schools are, they have most of their kids passing. Poor schools will have a poor showing irrespective whether they are situated.

Statistics will forever be like a miniskirt, they simply pretend to show much yet they do not reveal essence to anything.

A typical black child doesn’t get to finish matric, and the few who finish aren’t guaranteed to get their degrees.

According to the PSA estimates, almost one million get lost in the education system each year.

As the focus remains on the big averages per province, the people who cannot afford and who drop out of school are forgotten.

Even the ones who get university entry but cannot afford or drop out are forgotten.

Youth unemployment stands at around 75%. The matric results mean that this figure will bloat even further – the marks are more important than the future of children and the country.

The matric marks aren’t about celebrating excellence but mediocrity and indifference.

Parents who can afford have a reason to be excited because they are sure that their kids are going to proceed to university and, most probably, to the job market.

In the shadows of the acclaimed success of 100% and distinctions lie the poor, downtrodden and marginalized of society.

The education system reflects the South African society and its disparities. The poorest are forgotten in our triumphs and achievements.

The conclusion is that there is basically nothing to celebrate about matric results because they are just a political smokescreen.

The debate should therefore move from pass marks or distinctions to focus on opportunities of whatever nature for the young people.

The announcement of matric results is like a state of drunkenness, it makes us to forget about reality and misery.

Today, it is a brand new day where the achievers are battling to gain admission to university and some are likely not go back due to financial difficulties.

The university fees have been increasing at least by 5% on yearly basis. The youth carry the burden into the overfinancialised, credit-based economy, which is also characterized by high unemployment and low output.

The pathway is not cleared for the young ones but our conceptualisation of the future seems to be degenerating to celebrating percentages.

Siya yi banga le economy!

Siyabonga Hadebe is a PhD candidate in international economic law and a labour market expert based in Geneva.