The Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, says its schools are proving that learning can flourish anywhere. In 2025, they recorded a 94.4% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, exceeding the national average of 88%.

A total number of 180 learners from 18 schools sat for the NSC examinations.

“Learning does not stop at prison walls, and hope, when nurtured through education, can flourish even in the most constrained environments.”

This department says 15 schools achieved a 100% pass rate, up from 13 in 2024, with learners earning a total of 132 distinctions.

Two schools, Usethubeni in Durban-Westville and Baviaanspoort in Gauteng, have maintained a 10-year streak of perfect results, while the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre School also achieved a flawless pass rate.

KwaZulu-Natal stood out, producing the highest number of matriculants, with 45 out of 50 learners attaining Bachelor passes.

Groenewald emphasised that education in correctional centres is about far more than academics.

“In correctional centres, it’s not just about academic achievement, but about rebuilding dignity, self-discipline, and hope.”

The Department has however noted a worrying trend of learners dropping Mathematics for Mathematical Literacy, a critical gateway subject for career opportunities.

The minister also praised educators, correctional officials, families, and the Department of Basic Education for their dedication in supporting learners under uniquely challenging circumstances.

“Our matriculants have shown that their past does not define their future. Through discipline, perseverance, and commitment, they have invested in themselves and in the future of this country.”