Political parties’ welcome matric results

By Molaole Montsho

Political parties have welcomed the 2025 matric results with mixed feelings.

The African National Congress (ANC) congratulated the Matric Class of 2025 following the release of the National Senior Certificate results, which reflect a historic national pass rate of 88 percent, the highest in South Africa’s democratic history.

“This achievement surpasses the 87.3% recorded in 2024 and confirms a steady upward trajectory in the performance of the public education system,” said national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu.

“These outcomes are the result of the collective effort of educators, parents, school governing bodies, education workers and communities who continue to carry the responsibility of nation building under difficult conditions.

“They affirm the effectiveness of curriculum recovery interventions and the commitment of the ANC-led government to restoring learning, strengthening teaching, and expanding access to quality education, particularly in historically disadvantaged communities.”

For the first time, the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the results without drawing a parallel between the official pass rate and what it previously referred to as the “true” results.

DA spokesperson on basic education Nazley Sharif said the party extends special recognition to learners from no-fee schools, learners who succeeded despite socio-economic hardship, and those who overcame personal and structural challenges to complete matric.

“Their achievements underscore the resilience of South Africa’s young people and the importance of protecting learner opportunity at every stage of the schooling system.”

The DA also noted progress in inclusion, with increased participation of learners with special education needs, alongside improved performance outcomes for these pupils.

Build One South Africa (BOSA) also welcomed the results but was quick to argue that the true matric pass rate was a much lower 54.7 percent, pointing to an education system that was jeopardising the future of young people.

“Of the 1 250 791 million learners who began school in grade 1 in 2014, just 684 640 full time learners have passed matric in 2025 – a true pass rate of just 54.7 percent. This means over 566 000 young people didn’t make it,” said spokesperson Roger Solomons.

“While some may have pursued other modes of education – such as TVET colleges,  many more have dropped out or fallen through the cracks in the education system. They will now likely face an uphill battle to enter the economy and find a job.”

The party said the sharp drop-off between Grades 10 and 12 shows that hundreds of thousands of learners are being lost before reaching matric, often because poverty forces young people out of classrooms and into work to support their families.