SA Matric Class Of 2025 Makes History With Record 88% Pass Rate

South Africa’s matric Class of 2025 has officially made history, achieving the highest national pass rate ever recorded.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced on Monday night that the country’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate climbed to 88%, surpassing last year’s 87.3%.

The results were released during a live televised address from Mosaiek Church in Fairland, Johannesburg, following what the minister described as a demanding academic year for learners.

KwaZulu-Natal Leads as Provinces Post Strong Results

KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the top-performing province, recording an impressive 90.6% pass rate.

It was followed by:

• Free State: 89.33%
• Gauteng: 89.06%
• North West: 88.49%
• Western Cape: 88.2%
• Northern Cape: 87.79%
• Mpumalanga: 86.55%
• Limpopo: 86.15%
• Eastern Cape: 84.17%

Gwarube said nearly one million pupils wrote the final examinations, adding that all 75 education districts across the country achieved pass rates of 80% or higher.

Bachelor Passes Dip Slightly, But Numbers Hit Record High

While the percentage of bachelor passes dropped marginally from 48% to 46%, the actual number of learners qualifying for degree studies increased.

Approximately 345,000 learners achieved bachelor passes in 2025 — an increase of 8,700 pupils compared to the previous year, marking the highest number ever recorded.

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The minister said the figures showed that more learners than ever are qualifying for university-level study, despite tougher academic demands.

Matric Cheating Scandal Clouds Class of 2025 Results

The 2025 matric cohort was not without controversy, as an exam paper leak scandal cast a shadow over the examination cycle.

Gwarube previously confirmed that learners implicated in the cheating scandal would have to wait longer to receive their results.

The Department of Basic Education said the number of pupils under investigation has increased from 26 to 40. Those found guilty face standard sanctions, including being barred from writing exams for up to three examination periods.

Despite the setback, the department said the Class of 2025 demonstrated resilience and determination, delivering results that set a new benchmark for South Africa’s education system.

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