The Matric Class of 2025 has achieved a historic 88% National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate – the highest in South Africa’s history - marking a significant milestone for the basic education sector.
The national pass rate represents an increase of approximately 0.7 percentage points from 2024 and was met with resounding applause when announced by Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, during the official release of the results on Monday evening, at Mosaïek Church, in Fairlands.
More than 900 000 full time and part time candidates wrote the matric examinations at approximately 6 000 centres across the country, making it the largest cohort to sit for the NSC exams. Of these, over 656 000 learners successfully passed.
Congratulating the Class of 2025, the Minister acknowledged their resilience and determination.
“To the Class of 2025, I say: congratulations on a record-breaking 88% pass rate. Siyazingca ngani. Nisebenzile. You have shown resilience – not only in these examinations, but across years of learning in a country that has asked much of you. South Africa sees you.
“And to the learners of our no-fee schools: you have shown the country what is possible. You have proven that talent lives everywhere and that when we strengthen the roots, hope becomes an outcome, not a slogan,” Gwarube said.
Addressing educators, learners, parents and stakeholders, Gwarube confirmed that the results had been quality-assured and approved by Umalusi, affirming the credibility and integrity of the examination process.
“We can have confidence: these results are earned, not gifted. South Africans, we must also put a stubborn myth to rest: 30% is not ‘the matric pass mark’.
“The NSC is earned by meeting minimum requirements across a full subject package – including higher thresholds in key subjects, with different pass types that open different pathways after school,” the Minister said.
She extended her gratitude to the entire education sector for their contribution to attaining this year’s pass rate.
“To every Premier, every MEC, every Head of Department, every district director, every principal, and every teacher: these outcomes are built day by day, term by term, year by year – and we honour the work behind them,” she said.
Provincial performance
KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the best performing province in the country, achieving a pass rate of 90.6%, followed closely by the Free State at 89.33% and Gauteng at 89.06%.
Northern Cape was the most improved province with 87.79% in sixth place.
For the first time, all 75 school districts across the country recorded pass rates of 80% and above, pointing to more evenly spread performance across provinces.
Quality of passes and system stability
While the overall pass rate reached a new high, the Minister emphasised that quality remains a key concern.
The proportion of Bachelor passes – which provide access to university degree studies – declined slightly from 48% in 2024 to 46% in 2025.
However, in absolute numbers, more learners than ever before achieved Bachelor passes, increasing by 8 700 to over 345 000 candidates.
Diploma passes accounted for 28% of results, while 13.5% of candidates achieved Higher Certificate passes.
The results also reflect a more stable education system, with the majority of candidates writing matric at the expected age of 18, and a sharp decline in the number of learners unable to complete their exam papers – down from about 17% in 2017 to around 2% in 2025.
Girls continued to outperform boys in participation, making up 56% of the matric cohort. The Minister cautioned, however, that the growing underrepresentation of boys in Grade 12 and post-school pathways requires urgent intervention.
“But the boy child is increasingly being left behind, becoming underrepresented in matric cohorts and less likely than girls to return through second-chance pathways. This imbalance requires urgent and targeted intervention,” the Minister said.
Gateway subjects under pressure
Despite overall progress, performance in key gateway subjects declined.
The Mathematics pass rate dropped from 69% to 64%, while Accounting fell from 81% to 78%. Physical Science showed a marginal improvement, increasing from 76% to 77%.
Only 34% of candidates wrote Mathematics, with the majority opting for Mathematical Literacy – a trend the Minister described as concerning for long-term access to scarce skills and economic participation.
“So, as we celebrate, we do so with clear eyes. The next phase is about deeper mastery – especially in gateway subjects. It is about increasing the number of learners taking and excelling in Mathematics, Physical Science and other gateway subjects with support, so opportunity expands without quality collapsing,” Gwarube said.
Equity and no-fee schools
The 2025 results highlighted continued progress in expanding opportunity for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. More than 66% of Bachelor passes were achieved by learners from no-fee schools, reinforcing the message that poverty is not destiny.
In addition, participation by learners with special education needs increased by 57%, with notable improvements in both pass rates and Bachelor-level achievements.
However, concerns were raised about the performance of learners reliant on social grants.
While more grant beneficiaries wrote the exams, their pass rate declined to 78%, compared to 86% previously. The Minister said the department will engage with the Department of Social Development to prevent the discontinuation of grants during learners’ matric year.
A new course for basic education
Gwarube said the record-breaking results reflect a system that is stabilising, but warned against complacency.
“Taken together, these results tell a clear story. The system is more stable. Participation is improving. Inclusion is expanding. Integrity is holding firm. But the results also confirm the central truth of our reform agenda: without strong foundations in the early years, inequity will always return later.
“The new course we have set for the basic education system is defined by deep roots, strong foundations and long vision,” she said.
The department’s reform agenda, she explained, is focused on strengthening early childhood development, improving early grade reading and numeracy, expanding teacher support, and ensuring learner safety and nutrition.
The Minister assured those who did not pass that alternative pathways and second-chance opportunities remain available.
“And to every learner who did not get the result you hoped for: you are not a failure, and your story is not over. There are pathways to improve your results – through rewrites, support programmes and second-chance opportunities. What matters now is that you take the next step, with support, and without shame,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
