While jubilation swept across South Africa after the release of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results at midnight on Tuesday, education stakeholders have cautioned that the record-breaking pass rate should not distract from persistent structural challenges within the schooling system.
Thousands of learners and parents marked the release by queuing outside garages to buy newspapers or checking results through mobile applications, turning the early hours of Tuesday into scenes of celebration and relief. The country recorded its highest matric pass rate in history, with 88% of candidates passing, according to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
Out of more than 900,000 candidates who wrote the examinations at nearly 6,000 centres nationwide, over 656,000 learners passed. KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and Gauteng emerged as the top three performing provinces, reinforcing a positive national trend that has seen incremental improvements year after year.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile congratulated the Class of 2025, commending learners for their resilience and discipline in reaching the final milestone of their basic education journey. He said the achievement represented not only personal success but also a vital contribution to the country’s future development.
Mashatile urged matriculants to take advantage of government-supported opportunities in higher education, skills development and employment, reiterating the government’s commitment to investing in young people and creating inclusive pathways into the economy.
However, as celebrations unfolded, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education struck a more cautionary tone. While welcoming the improved results, the committee warned that low uptake and weak performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects continue to undermine South Africa’s long-term economic prospects.
Committee chairperson Joy Maimela said the 88% pass rate reflected the “maturity of the system” and acknowledged the work done by the Department of Basic Education over several years. She also noted that the 2025 cohort began high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted teaching and learning.
“But the low uptake and throughput in STEM subjects remain a serious concern,” Maimela said, warning that without urgent intervention, South Africa risks falling behind in technological development and global competitiveness. The committee supported the department’s proposal to establish a technical school in every district as one way of boosting participation in these critical subjects.
Beyond subject choices, the committee raised alarm over capacity constraints within the education system. It pointed to a declining number of educators against a steadily growing learner population, describing the situation as unacceptable and detrimental to the quality of education.
“While the system is catering for more learners, teacher posts are not increasing at the same pace,” Maimela said. She called on the Department of Basic Education to move with speed to address shortages and improve quality where challenges persist.
Throughput also remained a major concern. The committee urged renewed focus on understanding how many learners who entered Grade 1 in 2014 ultimately reached and passed Grade 12 in 2025. Although marginal improvements were noted, the number of learners dropping out before matric remains “worryingly high”, according to the committee.
Despite these systemic challenges, individual stories of perseverance stood out amid the results. Lwazi Nkosi, a learner from Wordsworth High School in Benoni, described the relief of finally seeing his results after waiting anxiously with friends.
“I am over the moon that I have passed my matric,” Nkosi told African Times. “It was not easy, but against all odds I passed. I want to thank my parents, my teachers and everyone who supported me.”
In the Western Cape, Jan Kriel School learner Takunda Muchuweni was named among the top achievers nationally. Living with muscular dystrophy, she said the journey to matric was marked by pain and self-doubt, but determination carried her through.
“There were many tough days, but I kept going,” Muchuweni said. “I am planning to study psychology.”
The Portfolio Committee also highlighted progress in no-fee-paying schools, particularly in townships and rural areas, describing it as a positive sign for social justice and redress in education. It extended special commendation to KwaZulu-Natal for maintaining strong performance despite ongoing resource challenges.
As the excitement of matric night fades, attention is now turning to what lies beyond the pass rate. While the Class of 2025 has delivered historic results, policymakers and education leaders warn that sustained investment in teachers, early childhood development and STEM education will be critical to ensuring that future gains translate into meaningful economic and social progress.
