By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, briefed the media on Monday, 20 October 2025, on the state of readiness for the 2025 National Senior Certifica (NSC) examinations.
The NSC exams are a critical milestone in South Africa’s education calendar and are set to commence on Tuesday, 21 October.
During the press briefing, highlighted the significance of the upcoming NSC exams, describing them as one of the country’s largest educational undertakings. She expressed confidence in the department’s preparedness for the examination period, noting that rigorous measures had been implemented throughout every stage, from candidate registration to question paper setting, printing, distribution, marking and certification.
“The department confidently affirms that the system is fully ready to administer the 2025 NSC exams at the highest possible standard, “she stated.
Approximately 900,000 candidates are expected to write the NSC exams. Among them, 766,000 are full-time learners and 137,000 are part-time candidates.
All papers have been printed securely, and provincial departments have rigorously audited printing and distribution sites.
“Integrity is not negotiable; it is the cornerstone of the NSC certificate and public trust in our education system, “Gwarube stressed.
“Every learner has a fair opportunity to demonstrate their learning,” she affirmed. Exam papers had been made accessible for learners with disabilities, including Braille, large print, and South African Sign Language video recordings.
Regarding gateway subjects, the minister revealed a positive trend: “In 2024, just over 257,000 learners took mathematics. This year, that number has grown to 259,000.” She acknowledged the need for continued efforts to boost uptake, but expressed optimism, saying: “We must accelerate this momentum.”
Gwarube paid tribute to the Class of 2025, who entered high school amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Their early high school years were marked by rotational timetables, reduced contact time, incomplete curriculum coverage, and significant psychological challenges,” she said. Despite these hurdles, she said, the cohort “embodies resilience” through “recovery, renewal, and relentless effort”.
She acknowledged planned contingencies for potential disruptions like protests or load shedding, but appealed for calm and cooperation to ensure exams proceeded smoothly.
Gwarube said the DBE has also activated a National Examination Hotline which will operate throughout the exam period to report any suspicious activity.
She said the NSC matric results will be released on 12 January 2026 and candidates can access their individual results on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.