KwaZulu-Natal has achieved a historic milestone in education, claiming the top position for matric results in South Africa with an outstanding 90.6% pass rate for the Class of 2025. This achievement marks a significant 1.1 percentage point increase from the previous year and sees the province surpassing Free State, which held the top spot in 2024.
Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube announced the results last night, highlighting that the matric Class of 2025 had achieved an 88% overall pass rate, an improvement from the 2024 results and the highest pass rate in history.
More than 920,000 candidates sat for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations nationwide and 345 000 achieved Bachelor’s passes.
Kwazulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli congratulated the KZN Class of 2025 and attributing the success to unprecedented collaboration across all sectors of the education system.
“These results reflect what is possible when we work together with a shared vision and purpose. The success of the Class of 2025 is a testament to disciplined leadership, committed educators, resilient learners, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders,” Ntuli said.
The Premier emphasised that the outstanding performance demonstrates the effectiveness of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) approach, where various stakeholders worked together towards a common goal of educational excellence.
These results reflect what is possible when we work together with a shared vision and purpose.
Ntuli paid special tribute to the dedication of teachers who performed under demanding conditions, parents and guardians who provided unwavering support, and learners who showed remarkable perseverance and discipline throughout the academic year.
The KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council received particular recognition for its collective leadership and financial support during a period of fiscal pressure. The council’s intervention proved instrumental in stabilizing the education system and ensuring that teaching and learning standards were maintained.
“Recognising the central role of education in the development of our province, members of the Executive Council, through the spirit of collectivism, agreed that different departments would make financial contributions to support the Department of Education in addressing some of its financial challenges,” Ntuli explained.
This collaborative approach included crucial support for Norms and Standards payments to schools, which are essential for daily operations of public schools and creating conducive learning environments.
“This is a clear demonstration of the GPU at work, where collective responsibility and shared purpose translate into tangible outcomes for our people,” the Premier added.
As KwaZulu-Natal celebrates this achievement, the province remains committed to sustaining and improving these educational gains. Plans include strengthening teaching and learning methodologies, investing in school infrastructure, and providing targeted support to underperforming schools.
The focus remains on ensuring inclusive and quality education for all learners across the province, building on the foundation of success established by the Class of 2025.
The National Senior Certificate results for 2025 mark a turning point for KwaZulu-Natal’s education system, with the province now setting the standard for educational excellence across South Africa.
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