Matric Pass Rate Improves to 82.1% But Mathematics Concerns Persist
The 2025 National Senior Certificate results show overall improvement, but only 55% of learners achieved the 30% threshold in mathematics.
The 2025 National Senior Certificate results show an overall pass rate of 82.1%, up from 81.3% in 2024, with particularly strong improvements in Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces.
However, mathematics performance remains a concern, with only 55% of the 235,000 candidates who wrote the subject achieving the 30% threshold required for basic competency. Physical sciences saw a modest improvement to 72% pass rate.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced a new mathematics teacher development program targeting 5,000 underqualified educators, to be rolled out in partnership with the FirstRand Foundation.