Chairperson, it is a pity that we are standing here today in response to the declaration made by the DA on the issue of the number of the Grade 12 who write exams and those who pass. The reason I am saying it is a pity is that this is a long-standing debate, one that we have been having in the committee since 2010 until now. They are always raising the one and same debate. Good explanations have been given. Perhaps I have to repeat the explanations of why we have this low number of Grade 12s, compared to 2010-11.
First, there were changes in the admission age for schools from the ages of 6 to 7. That is why, in 2000, we had a smaller Grade 1 cohort that got in and that will definitely impact on what is going on now. [Interjections.] That is a fact. [Interjections.]