North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has congratulated the North West Class of 2025 that sat for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations for achieving an overall pass rate of 88.49%, securing the province a commendable fourth position nationally.
On Monday, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube announced the 2025 matric results, revealing that the country has achieved its highest-ever national pass rate of 88%, reflecting a 0.7% increase from 2024.
KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the top-performing province in the 2025 matric exams, with an impressive pass rate of 90.6%.
It was followed by Free State at 89.33%, and Gauteng, which recorded a pass rate of 89.06%.
North West is in fourth place with 88.49%, while the Western Cape achieved a pass rate of 88.20%.
The Northern Cape recorded 87.79%, Mpumalanga had a pass rate of 86.55%, Limpopo reached 86.15%, and the Eastern Cape closed out the rankings with a pass rate of 84.17%.
Mokgosi, speaking at the event for the release of provincial results held at Ratanang Primary School in Rustenburg on Tuesday, stated that these results reflect the substantial efforts made by government since the onset of democracy to reform and enhance the country's education system.
“By investing in our education system, we seek to heal the divisions of the past by establishing a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights, and in this regard, the right to education,” Mokgosi said.
He stated that the provincial government is firmly committed to financially supporting learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Through the Victor Thebe Sifora Provincial Bursary Scheme, R30 million has been allocated to assist students from struggling families in pursuing their studies in various fields.
Mokgosi urged local municipalities in the province to improve the reliability and adequacy of their services.
He warned that failures in service delivery threaten learner performance and undermine the education system as a whole.
“Teaching and learning, as well as our schools, are a microcosm of our broader developmental trajectory. And if we cannot find lasting solutions to challenges confronting our municipalities, we run the risk of putting a strain on our education system,” the Premier said.
During the announcement of the provincial performance, North West MEC for Education Viola Ntsetsao Motsumi stated that all districts improved their pass rates compared to the previous year, except Ngaka Modiri Molema District, which experienced a decrease of 0.10%.
She announced Temogo Matong from Setswakgosing Secondary School in the Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality, located in Morokweng village, as the top-performing candidate for the North West Class of 2025.
Motsumi stated that despite targeted efforts to assist underperforming schools, the number of such schools continues to rise.
She added that additional interventions will be implemented in the 2026 academic year.
The Premier praised the MEC, senior management of the department, parents, school governing bodies, teacher unions, faith-based organisations, and traditional leadership, among others, for ensuring that learner development remains a shared responsibility.
As the back-to-school campaign begins, the Premier is currently monitoring the readiness of Sentlhaga Primary School in Wolmaranstad, Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, to start the 2026 school calendar. – SAnews.gov.za
