The matric class of 2025 has made history with an 88% pass rate, the highest ever recorded in the history of the National Senior Certificate with KwaZulu-Natal leading the pack with a 90.6% pass. The Northern Cape has become the most improved province with the pass rate of 87,79% , a significant jump from last year’s 84.2%. Announcing the results last night, basic education ministerSiviwe Gwarubenoted that all 75 districts across the country achieved more that 80% pass rate which is the first of its kind in the democratic South Africa.
“District performance is one of our clearest quality indicators – because it shows whether improvement is spreading system-wide or remaining concentrated in pockets of strength. We are building stability – but the struggle for quality must now intensify, especially in gateway subjects,” said Gwarube. “The accounting pass rate decreased from 81% to 78%, while the mathematics pass rate decreased from 69% to 64%.
There was, however, an increase in physical science pass rate from 76% to 77%. Over 900,000 learners sat for their grade 12 exams last year, the highest in the NSC history. She said in the past year the department has worked to stabilise governance across the system; rebuilt trust with provinces, districts, unions and partners and protected the fairness and credibility of national exams.
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“People ask about ‘quick wins’. But real reform in a system this size cannot be PR-led. It is deep work that succeeds only when leadership lines up resources, accountability, trust and data behind one clear direction: strengthening the foundations of learning,” said the minister.
She congratulated the class of 2025, which started school in 2014, but also noted there has been a 24% dropout in the cohorts and that her department will forge a partnership to address the challenges. Gwarube said the achievements of learners from no-fee paying schools stood out as one of the most encouraging indicators of progress in the education system. She said despite deep socio-economic challenges, learners in disadvantaged communities continue to demonstrate resilience, determination and academic excellence. An education expert cautioned against viewing the outcomes as a definitive measure of success.
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