In a stunning display of academic resilience, the South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has officially announced a record-breaking 94.4% pass rate for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. The results, unveiled by Minister Pieter Groenewald at the Goodwood Correctional Facility on Monday, 19 January 2026, prove that for South Africa’s offender learners, the “past does not define the future.” Outperforming the national average of 88%, the class of 2025 saw 180 inmates sit for their exams across 18 correctional schools. The quality of the results was equally impressive, with 132 distinctions earned and 15 out of the 18 schools recording a perfect 100% pass rate.
Minister Groenewald highlighted the consistent excellence of institutions like Usethubeni (Durban-Westville) and Baviaanspoort (Gauteng), both of which have maintained a flawless 10-year streak of 100% pass rates. The provincial rankings saw KwaZulu-Natal take the top spot, producing 50 matriculants—45 of whom achieved Bachelor-level passes. Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the North West shared second place, while Gauteng and the Western Cape tied for third.
These results underscore the department’s commitment to using education as a primary tool for rehabilitation and social reintegration. National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale joined the Minister in honoring the top achievers, emphasizing that these qualifications are a “second chance” for inmates to contribute to society upon release. However, the Minister also noted a concerning trend where learners are opting for Mathematical Literacy over pure Mathematics. Despite this challenge, the overall sentiment was one of triumph.
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