KwaZulu-Natal aims for 95% pass rate in 2025 National Senior Certificate exams

KwaZulu-Natal's Department of Education is taking decisive steps towards achieving a minimum 95% pass rate for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka unveiled this bold vision at a press briefing on Tuesday, encapsulating the province's commitment to educational excellence.

As the 2025 class prepares to write their final examinations from October 21, Hlomuka expressed cautious optimism while setting an even higher bar for their successors.

"We therefore developed a 2025 Academic Improvement Plan, aimed at improving our pass rate from 89.5% to a minimum of 95%, with the ultimate goal of reaching 100%,” Hlomuka said. 

He explained that all 12 districts formulated district-specific improvement plans aligned to the provincial strategy. These plans were immediately set in motion to ensure their implementation was felt across all schools.

“Our provincial vision remains clear: every learner who sits for the final examination must pass. We know that external factors sometimes make a 100% pass rate difficult, but we are determined not to fall below 95%. This would still represent significant growth from 2024,” Hlomuka said. 

This ambitious initiative highlights the province’s determination to build on prior successes and push the envelope of educational achievement.

In preparation for the upcoming examinations, a series of educational programmes have been rolled out, including Winter Programmes and Spring Classes designed to equip learners with the tools they need for success.

The Winter Tuition Programme, running from June 27 to July 21, focused on thorough curriculum coverage and intensive pre-exam preparation, covering past papers and introducing effective study techniques.

Over 4,380 pupils participated in Winter Camps that blended overnight sessions with school-based learning, creating a flexible model that meets diverse learning needs. Similarly, during the Spring Boot Camps, held across all 11 districts from October 5-12, students received additional support in crucial subjects identified as challenging.

“There are extra classes that continue taking place after hours, on weekends,” Hlomuka added, highlighting the ongoing support mechanisms in place for learners. In total, 195,899 learners—179,751 full-time and 16,148 part-time candidates—are set to take the NSC exams in 2025, which reflects a 3% increase compared to the previous year.

Hlomuka attributed this growth to improved retention efforts and the department’s dedication to expanding access to quality education, thus reinforcing parents’ confidence in the public education system.

To ensure a smooth examination process, the department has meticulously organised logistical, administrative, and security arrangements. KwaZulu-Natal operates the largest examination system in South Africa, supported by 6,450 invigilators overseeing a staggering 6,712 exam rooms across 1,705 public centres and 61 private examination centres.

Detailed plans are in place for the distribution of examination materials, with 113 question papers totalling 35,192,785 printouts to be managed across 27 morning and 27 afternoon sessions. Hlomuka emphasised the importance of exam integrity and credibility, stating that enhanced security measures, including invigilator training, have been introduced to mitigate irregularities.

“A total of 7,889 markers have been appointed, with appointment letters to be issued by the end of October 2025,” he continued, noting that the marking process will take place from December 2-12 across 32 designated centres.

In anticipation of potential challenges, including adverse weather conditions, the department is confidently collaborating with the Joint Operations and Communication Committee (JOCOM) to ensure the examinations' safe and credible execution. Emergency procedures have already been communicated to all schools and marking centres to safeguard against interruptions.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE