Matric results 2025 show KZN leading with a 90.6% pass rate, but experts warn subject choices could shape youth futures.
Matric Results 2025: A historic result, but mixed emotions on the ground
For many households across South Africa, the release of matric results brings relief, pride, and a quiet sense of anxiety. While the numbers tell a success story, the lived reality for many young people begins the moment the celebrations end.
The Class of 2025 has recorded the highest National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate in South Africa’s history — 88%. At the centre of the achievement is KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), which for the first time has emerged as the top-performing province with a 90.6% pass rate.
KZN Takes the Lead With a 90.6% Pass Rate
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube announced the results on Monday night, confirming that more than 920,000 candidates wrote the 2025 NSC examinations nationwide. Of those, approximately 345,000 learners achieved bachelor’s passes, qualifying them for degree-level study.
KZN’s performance represents a 1.1 percentage point increase from the previous year, pushing the province ahead of long-time top performers such as the Free State and Gauteng.
Education experts say this shift did not happen overnight. It reflects years of stabilisation, planning, and accountability across schools, educators, and communities.
For many learners in the province, the achievement carries deep meaning. KZN schools have previously faced disruptions from floods, unrest, and infrastructure damage — setbacks that directly affected learning time and exam preparation.
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Why Education Experts Say KZN’s Success Is Not a Fluke
Education analyst Professor Labby Ramrathan believes the results show that the system is functioning at its strongest level yet. He noted that while pass rates could easily have declined due to lingering learning gaps, this did not happen.
According to Ramrathan, schools in KZN now have:
- Improved infrastructure
- Better curriculum coverage
- Clear expectations for teachers and learners
- Stronger parental involvement
He also pointed to an important psychological factor — momentum. Once a province enters the top-performing group, pressure increases to sustain that position, often driving better coordination and accountability.
However, Ramrathan also reminded South Africans that not all learners attend school under ideal conditions. Some still struggle with foundational literacy, especially reading for comprehension — a challenge linked partly to long-term effects of Covid-19 disruptions.
Pass Rates vs Quality: A Growing National Concern
While the overall pass rate is encouraging, experts caution that quality matters as much as quantity.
Professor Jonathan Jansen from Stellenbosch University emphasised that the bachelor pass rate and subject choices offer a clearer picture of educational quality. He raised concerns that many learners opt for subjects that make passing easier, such as maths literacy, while avoiding pure mathematics and physical sciences.
This trend, he warned, could have serious long-term consequences.
Learners who avoid STEM subjects often:
- Lose access to science, engineering, and technology careers
- Struggle to meet university entrance requirements
- Miss opportunities in sectors that drive economic growth
In a country facing high youth unemployment, subject choices at school can quietly shape a learner’s future options long before they enter the job market.
Recovery, Stability, and the Bigger Picture
Professor Mbulu Madiba, dean of the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University, linked KZN’s improvement to recovery from earlier disruptions. With fewer interruptions to teaching and learning in 2025, schools were able to focus more consistently on exam preparation.
He also noted that the NSC system has matured over time, meaning pass rates today offer a more reliable reflection of learner performance than in earlier years.
Still, Madiba echoed concerns about declining participation in mathematics and science. As South Africa moves deeper into a digital and technology-driven economy, shortages in these skills could widen inequality rather than reduce it.
What These Results Mean for Young People After Matric
For many learners, passing matric is not the end of the journey — it is the start of a far more uncertain phase.
University spaces remain limited. Funding is not guaranteed. And thousands of young people who pass matric each year struggle to find a foothold in the labour market.
This is why alternative post-school pathways matter more than ever:
- Learnerships
- Internships
- TVET college programmes
- Occupational and skills-based qualifications
These routes offer practical experience and income while learning — a critical advantage in a country where experience is often required even for entry-level jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national matric pass rate for 2025?
The national NSC pass rate for the Class of 2025 is 88%, the highest recorded in South Africa’s history.
Which province performed best in 2025?
KwaZulu-Natal topped the rankings with a 90.6% pass rate, followed by the Free State and Gauteng.
Why do experts worry about subject choices?
Many learners choose subjects that make passing easier, avoiding maths and science, which limits access to technical and high-demand careers.
What options exist if university is not accessible?
Learners can pursue learnerships, internships, diplomas, TVET programmes, and occupational qualifications aligned with labour market needs.
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