South Africa has recorded its highest National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate in history, with 88% of candidates passing the 2025 matric exams, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced on Monday, 12 January 2026. Gwarube says the results reflect sustained growth in participation and improved outcomes across the schooling system.
Addressing the nation, Minister Gwarube said the results point to a more stable education system, but stressed that quality and equity must remain the focus of ongoing reforms.
Provincial Performance in 2025 NSC Exams
The provincial breakdown of results, ranked from lowest to highest pass rate, is as follows:
- Eastern Cape: 84.17%
- Limpopo: 86.15%
- Mpumalanga: 86.55%
- Northern Cape: 87.79% (largest improvement)
- Western Cape: 88.20%
- North West: 88.49%
- Gauteng: 89.06%
- Free State: 89.33%
- KwaZulu-Natal: 90.6% (top performing province)
All 75 education districts across the country achieved pass rates of 80% or higher, a milestone Minister Gwarube said reflects improvement spreading throughout the system.
Minister Highlights Central Themes in Education Reform
In her address, Minister Gwarube framed the results within South Africa’s broader education reform agenda, emphasising a shift away from crisis management toward strengthening the foundations of learning.
Some of the key themes of her speech included:
1. Stability and Integrity of the System
The Minister noted improvements in retention and progression, with more learners completing Grade 12 on time. She highlighted decreases in absenteeism and repeat candidates, as well as strengthened exam controls to preserve credibility.
2. Quality and Gateway Subjects
While celebrating the record pass rate, Gwarube acknowledged ongoing challenges in gateway subjects such as Mathematics and Physical Science. Although more candidates took Mathematics, performance declined, underscoring the need for stronger foundational learning early in schooling.
3. Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning
A central focus of the Minister’s reforms is strengthening early childhood learning. She highlighted expanded registration of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and investments aimed at ensuring children are developmentally ready by age five. The speech stressed that equity begins long before matric, with poor foundations in early grades contributing to inequality later.
4. Equity and Inclusion
The Minister pointed to increased participation and achievement among learners with special education needs and sustained growth in Bachelor’s passes in no-fee schools. She also stressed the importance of making South African Sign Language more widely accessible in education.
5. Beyond Numbers: Learner Support and Well-Being
Gwarube linked education outcomes to broader social factors, including nutrition, safety, and social grants. She noted that candidates who continued receiving social grants performed better than those whose grants had lapsed, underscoring the link between social protection and learning.
6. A Long-Term Vision for Reform
Invoking the symbol of the baobab tree, the Minister said meaningful reform requires patience, investment, and a focus on foundational learning. She urged communities, educators, and government partners to work together to strengthen the system from the ground up.
In closing, Minister Gwarube congratulated the Class of 2025 and reiterated her call to protect and deepen the progress made, saying that with strong foundations, education can be a true equaliser of opportunity.
