CIE’s South Africa’s National Matric Results Report Summary

CIE weighs in on the trends that are showing up in the matric results of South African schools

In an analysis of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results, the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) noted that the Class of 2025 was significant because they are the first to include learners who went through the Covid-19 disruptions early in their high-school careers. These pupils experienced lockdowns in their last year of primary school and their first years of secondary school, the CIE observed. However, they also benefited from catch-up programmes in Grades 8 and 9.

National Performance and System Integrity

The overall national pass rate of 88% — up 2,7% from 2024 — suggests a level of stability in the system. At the same time, confidence in the results has been shaken by reports of examination irregularities, including allegations of leaked question papers. While such incidents are serious, they appear to be isolated, and the fact that they are detected and addressed supports the view that the examination system remains broadly credible.

Catholic schools saw a slight increase in their overall pass rate, from 92,35% to 92,43%. At such high levels, major gains are unlikely, the CIE noted. Of some concern is the drop in Bachelor’s passes, from 64,8% to 62,1%, alongside a decline in average subject marks. This may point to more learners passing overall, but fewer achieving the higher-quality passes needed for university study.

Subject Challenges and Participation Rates

Mathematics and Physical Sciences remain particular weaknesses, with low average marks. Even so, Catholic schools writing the state exam performed nearly three percentage points above the national pass rate. In 2025, 104 Catholic schools wrote the NSC, with 39 achieving a 100% pass rate (most private Catholic schools write the Independent Examination Board exams, and therefore fell outside the scope of the CIE analysis).

These results depend on extensive behind-the-scenes cooperation between schools, governing bodies, examination authorities and the Department of Basic Education, whose work ensures that learners can write credible examinations in their own schools.

Critique of the Quintile System and Resource Equity

The CIE analysis again highlights problems with South Africa’s quintile system, which is meant to group schools by levels of poverty. In practice, the categories are uneven and inconsistent, with poorer schools making up a much larger share than intended. This matters because schools serving poorer communities typically offer fewer subjects, limiting learners’ opportunities. As a result, only about a quarter of schools writing the NSC fall into the better-resourced quintiles, instead of the intended 40%.

Encouragingly, more learners across all schools wrote the NSC in 2025 than in recent years, reversing a worrying decline. While some learners were still held back or did not write, these numbers have improved compared to 2024.

The Gap Between Pass Rates and Subject Mastery

Finally, the data shows that many learners are passing subjects without achieving strong marks. High pass rates often mask low averages, especially in subjects like Mathematics, Life Sciences and Accounting. Within Catholic schools, performance varies widely, but strong results are not limited to wealthier schools.

Conclusion: Resilience Amidst Persistent Challenges

Several schools serving poorer communities performed exceptionally well, showing that context alone does not determine success — though access to quality passes remains uneven. Overall, the CIE concluded, the 2025 results point to resilience and progress, alongside clear challenges around subject quality, equity and opportunity that still need attention.