Education Minister Gwarube confirms full readiness for 2025 NSC examinations

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has announced that it is fully prepared to administer the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, which remain the largest and most complex public assessment in South Africa’s education system.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, confirmed on Monday that a total of 903,561 candidates are registered to write this year’s matric examinations. This includes 766,543 full-time candidates, the highest number since the national exams were introduced in 1996, and 137,018 part-time candidates.

“This year’s exams represent the culmination of twelve years of effort, resilience, and collaboration between learners, teachers, parents, and communities. Education remains the heartbeat of South Africa’s future,” Gwarube said.

The Minister highlighted that South Africa’s school participation rate now matches that of several middle-income countries such as Turkey and Brazil, and is higher than in many developing economies. She said this progress has been achieved through several interventions, including the National School Nutrition Programme, the no-fee school policy, and the policy allowing pregnant learners to return to school. Over 90% of learners in that category now complete their studies.

Gwarube said that the single biggest predictor of school dropouts is the quality of foundational literacy and numeracy. “That’s why we are strategically reorienting the system to strengthen the foundations of learning. When we get the basics right, we reduce repetition, dropouts, and improve participation in gateway subjects,” she said.

Encouragingly, the number of learners taking Mathematics has risen to more than 259,000 in 2025, marking a reversal of the recent downward trend. “This is a positive development, and we must build on this momentum,” Gwarube added.

A total of 162 question papers have been set and moderated by expert panels and quality-assured by Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education. To ensure fairness and inclusivity, the papers have been adapted into Braille, large print, and South African Sign Language for learners with disabilities.

“All question papers have been printed and securely distributed. Every truck transporting exam papers is GPS-tracked, every stop authorised, and every stage monitored. Integrity is non-negotiable. It is the cornerstone of public trust in our education system,” the Minister said.

To ensure learner readiness, the DBE implemented a comprehensive support campaign under four pillars: learner support, teacher support, curriculum enrichment, and school readiness. Over 130,000 learners participated in Autumn, Winter, and Spring camps across 75 districts, focusing on key gateway subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences. Teachers in underperforming subjects and districts also received additional training and support based on the analysis of the 2024 results.

Learners benefited from resources such as Mind the Gap booklets, digital study materials, and online tutorials distributed through social media platforms. The Examination Fitness Initiative further equipped learners with study timetables, question strategies, and practical skills to approach different question types.

“Our learners are ready. Our teachers have gone beyond the call of duty. The entire system, from registration to marking, has been governed by strict standards and rigorous audits,” said Gwarube.

The education quality assurance body, Umalusi, also confirmed its readiness for the 2025 examinations. Addressing the media in Pretoria last week, Umalusi Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, assured that all systems were in place to monitor and oversee the national examinations.

South African Daily spoke to one of the candidates preparing for the exams, Lwazi Nkosi, an 18-year-old learner from a school in Benoni, Ekurhuleni. “I am ready for the examinations. I feel prepared enough. The message I have for my fellow Grade 12 students is that our teachers have done their part. It is now our time to go out there and shine. Good luck to everyone,” Nkosi said.

Messages of encouragement have been pouring in for the Matric Class of 2025. President Cyril Ramaphosa also extended his best wishes to the learners as they begin their final examinations. He described the exams as a defining moment for this group of young people to demonstrate their dedication and hard work.

“You’ve got this, Class of 2025. All your years and hours of progressing to this point in your education are assets that you can use to your advantage in these exams,” Ramaphosa said.

“As you apply twelve years of learning and exploration in these exams, you will be opening new doors to your future and to the success of our nation. Each of you has grown intellectually and emotionally during your years in school, and your families and communities have followed your journey with pride and support. We are all by your side as you focus and persevere during these exams.”

The President acknowledged that moments of stress and uncertainty are natural during high-pressure situations but urged learners to remain confident and resilient. “There will be moments of stress and doubt. This happens during high-pressure situations. But we know the odds are in your favour. Reaching these exams is an achievement of which you can be proud and which gives the nation confidence that the Class of 2025 will move our nation forward,” Ramaphosa said.

Results will be released early in 2026.