South Africa’s Class of 2026 has pledged to uphold honesty, discipline and integrity as learners prepare to begin their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on Tuesday.
The pledge-signing ceremonies, held at schools across the country on Friday, reaffirmed matric candidates’ commitment to academic excellence and ethical conduct as they approach the culmination of their schooling careers.
Speaking to the Free State matriculants at the provincial pledge-signing ceremony at the Bluegumbosch Multipurpose Centre in Qwaqwa, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged learners to remain focused and not allow a momentary lapse in judgement to jeopardise years of hard work and sacrifice.
“Believe in yourselves, for we believe in you. The nation stands behind you. We are proud of you for having reached this milestone. And we wish you every success,” the President said.
The President acknowledged the sacrifices made by learners, their families, teachers and tutors in preparing for the examinations, describing the upcoming tests as an opportunity for matriculants to reap the rewards of their investment in education.
“No worthwhile goal can be achieved without sacrifice. Without persistence. Without discipline,” he said.
He also commended educators for their commitment to learners, noting that teachers often sacrifice time with their own families to support their students.
The President highlighted the progress made by learners from no-fee schools in townships and rural areas, saying their achievements demonstrated both personal dedication and progress towards building an education system that gives everyone an equal chance.
The Free State, which achieved the country’s highest matric pass rate for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024, was encouraged to reclaim the top position after KwaZulu-Natal ended its winning streak in 2025.
“As the President of the Republic, I cannot favour any one province in the competition for first place, but we do expect the Free State to do everything it can to take its crown back,” he said.
Minister warns against examination irregularities
Meanwhile, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who attended the pledge-signing ceremony at Fezeka Secondary School in the Western Cape, urged learners to approach the examinations with integrity, discipline and a commitment to excellence.
Reflecting on her own educational journey, the Minister encouraged candidates to take responsibility for their futures through diligent study and decisions that would open doors to opportunities beyond school.
She reminded learners that the examinations mark an important transition into adulthood and the next chapter of their lives.
Gwarube also warned against examination irregularities, including bringing cellphones and crib notes into examination rooms, cautioning that academic dishonesty could have serious consequences for learners’ future opportunities.
“There are no shortcuts to success. A cellphone hidden in a pocket is not preparation. A leaked question paper is not intelligence. Copying another learner's work is not achievement,” she said.
The Minister stressed that the NSC must remain a qualification that South Africans can trust because it is earned honestly.
Through signing the pledge, learners commit themselves to honesty, accountability and giving their best throughout the examination period.
Pledge a commitment to learners’ futures
In Gauteng, Deputy Minister of Basic Education Reginah Mhaule joined provincial Education MEC Lebogang Maile at Riverside High School in Three Rivers, Vereeniging, for the provincial pledge-signing ceremony.
Mhaule said the occasion represented more than a commitment to comply with examination rules, reaffirming the importance of academic excellence, integrity, discipline and responsibility.
“Today, our learners are making a commitment not only to the examination system, but to themselves and the futures they are working to build,” Mhaule said.
The ceremonies across the country are intended to reinforce the importance of fairness and accountability in the examination process, while encouraging candidates to approach their final school examinations with confidence, dedication and determination.
The 2026 NSC examinations begin on Tuesday, 13 October, with Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 practical scheduled for the first session. The second session will feature Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu Home Language (HL), First Additional Language (FAL) and Second Additional Language (SAL) Paper 1, as well as Hebrew SAL and German HL, FAL and SAL Paper 1.
The examination period will conclude on Thursday, 26 November 2026.
Learners have been urged to consult the official examination timetable to confirm the dates, times and subjects for their respective papers.
As the Class of 2026 prepares to write, the message from the country’s leadership is clear: years of preparation must be matched by discipline, honesty and a determination to succeed. – SAnews.gov.za
