Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube released the Class of 2025 matric results on Monday, with KwaZulu-Natal being top performing province with an impressive pass rate of 90.6%. However, as KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka prepares to release the province's matric results today at the Durban ICC, examination interns who have been unpaid since October are demanding payment.
Image: GCIS
While the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education celebrates a commendable 90.6% matric pass rate for the Class of 2025, dozens of examination interns who helped make those results possible remain unpaid months after completing their work.
The interns were recalled in October 2025 by the Examination and Assessment Sub-directorate after their initial six-month contracts ended in June, to assist with critical examination processes during the peak matric period to assist with script control and other duties like delivering exam scripts.
They worked throughout October and November but say they were later released without receiving their stipends or any formal explanation from the department.
As a result, many endured what they describe as a “dark festive season”, unable to meet basic financial commitments because of the non-payment.
The affected graduates have now turned to Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma of the anti-illegal migration movement March and March to help escalate their plight.
In a written submission, one intern outlined the group’s key demands:Immediate payment for all work completed during the contract extension period.
A formal explanation and full transparency regarding the reasons for the payment delays. A commitment from the Department of Education to fair treatment and accountability in future engagements.
The interns said they were especially aggrieved by what they see as unequal treatment, noting that other temporary staff such as educator assistants and examination assistants were paid, while they were left without compensation.
“We fulfilled our duties and ensured the smooth running of a critical national process, yet we have been treated as if our work did not matter,” one intern said.
Some of the interns believe that they are being exploited because they don't belong to any labour union.
They have called on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to urgently resolve the matter and honour its financial obligations to them.
The KZN Department of Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka will today announce the 2025 matric results at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.