DBE ready for 2025 matric exams as 900,000 candidates prepare to write
The Department of Basic Education says it’s fully prepared for the 2025 matric exams, with 900,000 candidates registered and all provinces confirming readiness to administer the national assessments.
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is fully prepared to administer the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, with 900,000 candidates expected to write, including more than 766,000 full-time and 137,000 part-time learners.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday in Mpumalanga on the state of readiness, Gwarube said the NSC exams remain the largest and most complex public assessment in South Africa’s education system, calling them “no larger obstacle as a taking in the country’s programme” outside of government itself.
The NSC exams will start on Tuesday and end on November 27, 2025.
Gwarube confirmed that all nine provincial departments have completed preparations and verified their systems. “All nine provinces are indeed ready,” she said.
Strict security and integrity protocols are in place, with all question papers printed, stored and distributed under monitored conditions.
“Every truck distributing question papers is GPS tracked, every stop is authorised and every stage of distribution is monitored,” she said.
A total of 6,955 schools, including 6,376 public and 579 independent institutions, will serve as official exam centres. All centres have been categorised by risk level, and a third of them have been audited, she said.
Matric Exam Time Table
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Gwarube said marking will begin on December 2 at 185 centres staffed by over 14,000 trained markers, invigilators, moderators, and data capturers. The department is also piloting e-marking for key subjects such as accounting and literacy.
To ensure accuracy, all mark capture sites will use a double-capture method.
Concessions have been made for learners with disabilities. Papers have been adapted into braille and large print formats, while deaf candidates will receive video-recorded papers in South African Sign Language, she said.
She stated that the class of 2025 began Grade 1 in 2014 and entered high school under the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, with reduced contact time, curriculum gaps, and psychological setbacks. Despite these difficulties, Gwarube said, “this cohort embodies resilience. Their journey has been one of recovery, renewal and relentless effort.
The DBE has implemented several learner support programmes, including winter and spring classes, extra resources, and diagnostic feedback from the 2024 exams. Teachers in underperforming districts have also received specialised training.
Gwarube noted an increase in learners taking mathematics, with the number rising to 259,000 this year. “Although much more work still needs to be done in this regard, there is a positive development in this, and we must accelerate the momentum,” she said.
She also highlighted that more than 90% of pregnant learners now return to school, a result of inclusive learner pregnancy policies, and affirmed that South Africa's school participation rates are comparable to countries like Brazil and Turkey.
Matric Exam Time Table
Image: Supplied
Gwarube said that every candidate has been registered on SA-SAMS and all subject changes were finalised earlier this year.
“The success of these examinations doesn't rely on government alone,” she said, urging communities to support learners by avoiding disruptions during the exam period. Contingency plans have been put in place for potential issues such as load-shedding, protests, or extreme weather.
She praised teachers, principals, invigilators and support staff for their commitment, saying many have worked weekends and holidays to prepare learners. “Each of these officials carries a profound responsibility to protect the credibility of our education system and hopes and dreams of our learners.”
Gwarube said the DBE has also activated a National Examination Hotline which will operate throughout the exam period to report any suspicious activity.
Last week, learners and officials across the country signed the NSC Pledge of Integrity.
“Integrity is not an imposition. It is the cornerstone of the NSC certificate and of course the public trust in our education system,” said Gwarube.”
Gwarube ended with a message to the class of 2025: “This is now your time. You have overcome disruption, loss, and uncertainty. You represent South Africa’s renewal, proof that adversity can produce excellence, these exams don't define your worth, but they simply open the next chapter of your story.”
Gwarube said the NSC matric results will be released on 12 January 2026 and candidates can access their individual results on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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