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A record 98.31% of Grade 12 learners passed the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations administered by the Independent Examinations Board

IEB records 98.31% pass rate in 2025 matric exams

Nearly nine in 10 of Grade 12 learners who wrote examinations administered by the Independent Examinations Board qualified to study for a university degree

With youth month around the corner, education support networks have raised the alarm on the persistent underperformance and marginalisation of boys in the education system. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Calls grow to address marginalisation of boys in education system

In 2022, the out-of-school rate was 10.54% for boys, compared with 8.17% for girls

The South African Democratic Teachers Union alleges schools are pressuring learners in grade 10 and upwards to drop maths to protect overall matric pass rates

Unions slam basic education department over no maths at 464 schools

The South African Democratic Teachers Union alleges schools are pressuring learners in grade 10 and upwards to drop maths to protect overall matric pass rates

Many grade 12 learners do not cope with the pressures of preparing for the matric exams

Backlogs: Learners pay the price with their mental health

The systemic failures in education mean that learners are not adequately prepared for their matric year

Quality assurer Umalusi said it found no discrepancies during its evaluation of the 2024 NSC examinations

Matric assessment institute refutes claims it has unfairly failed learners

Quality assurer Umalusi said it found no discrepancies during its evaluation of the 2024 NSC examinations

(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

What Vhembe’s success teaches us about quality education in South Africa

In 2020, Nelson Mandela University physics professor, Azwinndini Muronga, wrote in the Mail & Guardian about Vhembe’s remarkable performance in the 2019 national senior certificate results. Five years later, he examines what this means for South African education

Nelson Mandela University’s Professor Azwinndini Muronga. (Heather Dugmore)

What Vhembe’s success teaches us about quality education in South Africa

In 2020, Nelson Mandela University physics professor, Azwinndini Muronga, wrote in the Mail & Guardian about Vhembe’s remarkable performance in the 2019 national senior certificate results. Five years later, he examines what this means for South African education

Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube. (X)

DA says it wants matric pass mark ‘incrementally’ increased to 50%

It’s detractors say the party has accepted the 30% pass because it is enjoying the benefits of the government of national unity

Equal Education members engaging in a peaceful demonstration during basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube’s announcement of the matric results in Randburg on Monday. Picture: Equal Education

Education movements slam high dropout rate for matric class of 2024

The Zero Dropout Campaign has cautioned that the department of basic education should take heed of ‘early warning signs’ to assist learners

Quality assurer Umalusi said it found no discrepancies during its evaluation of the 2024 NSC examinations

Education department gets green light to release matric results

But the quality assurer remains concerned about cheating and an increase in ‘problematic’ questions flagged by the department of high education

Engineering machinery at the Katlehong Engineering School. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Township school trains learners to be drone pilots, engineers

By focusing on scarce skills, the Katlehong schoolchildren are being primed to have a competitive edge in the job market

Basic education minister, Angie Motshekga. Photo supplied

Matric class of 2023 bags 82.9% pass rate

The class of 2023 has obtained the second-highest results in the history of the NSC, according to the basic education department

Matric students are currently writing their National Senior Certificate exams which commenced on 30 October and will run until 6 December.
 (Photo by Roger Sedres/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Matric students need mental health support to handle exam stress, Sadag says

A recent poll by Unicef South Africa found that 73% of young people needed mental health support over the past year