Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule, and Director-General Mr Mathanzima Mweli, accompanied by senior managers from the Department of Basic Education, attended a Joint Committee Meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, as well as the Select Committee on Education, Science and Creative Industries in Parliament, Cape Town, on 17 February 2026.
Portfolio Committee on Basic Education Chairperson, Ms Joy Maimela, and Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Science and Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, co-chaired the historical joint Committee briefing, applauding the entire sector, teachers, learners and parents on the improved 2025 NSC performance. They indicated that enhanced multisectoral collaboration is required to address matters such as, amongst others, the post-school transitioning of learners, and the improvement of performance in gateway subjects.
Addressing the joint Committee briefing, Deputy Minister Mhaule said that although the start of the year was marked by admission and infrastructure challenges, as well as the horrific learner transport incident in the Gauteng Province, her recent school oversight and monitoring visits to various schools, reaffirmed that the system was ready for the 2026 academic year. She affirmed that education is a journey and the sector is gradually moving in the right direction.
In his introduction, Mr Mweli highlighted that the briefing was a reflection of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results, with a particular focus on using the data for the analysis to draw lessons learned from the Class of 2025 to improve the performance and outcomes of the schooling system as a whole; a response to the Umalusi Directives on the Quality Assurance of Assessment Report of the 2025 NSC examinations; and an update of the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP). The DBE’s presentation on the NSC results was presented by the Chief Directorate National Assessments and Public Examinations, represented by Ms Priscilla Ogunbanjo. The NSC examination serves a three-fold purpose: it is used to certify learners; is a barometer of how the schooling system is performing; and provides diagnostic data on specific areas of weakness at school, district, provincial and national level.
Dr Mafu Rakumetsi, Umalusi CEO and Prof Yusuf Ballim, Chairperson of the Board, represented Umalusi during the briefing, with Dr Eva Sujee, Executive Manager for Quality Assurance and Monitoring, presenting. Regarding the leakage in connection with the NSC Mathematics Papers 1 and 2, Physical Sciences Papers 1 and 2 and English Home Language Papers 1 to 3 examinations in Tshwane: The National Investigation Task Team (NITT) presented their findings to the Executive Committee of the Umalusi Council on 6 January 2026. Umalusi assured the Meeting that the breach was localised and therefore cannot dent the overall credibility of the 2025 NSC results. The Umalusi Council therefore concluded that the NSC examinations were administered largely in accordance with the regulations pertaining to the conduct, administration, and management of the NSC examinations and there were no systemic irregularities reported. Umalusi endorsed the DBE’s recommendation to withhold the results of candidates who are implicated in the alleged irregularities, including acts of dishonesty. The DBE is required to address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment Report and submit an improvement plan by 13 March 2026, which includes the phenomenon of group copying. Umalusi again commended the DBE for conducting a successful examination on such a large scale.
Dr Sandy Malapile, Director for the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP), represented the programme introduced in 2016 to support individuals who have not yet met the NSC requirements or the extended Senior Certificate (SC), contributing to the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP) and promoting increased learner retention. The programme provides an opportunity for learners to obtain their Grade 12 certificate, opening doors to further education and employment. Amongst its key benefits are improved academic performance, enhanced computer literacy, better career prospects, and access to bursary opportunities for further studies. The SCMP assists learners who wish to upgrade their matric results for university admission, those who previously did not pass matric, and adults aged 21 and older who completed Grades 9 to 11 or ABET Level 4 but did not sit for matric examinations. Learners have the option to write examinations in June 2026, with results released in August, or in October 2026, with results available in January 2027. Participants receive textbooks and study guides to support their preparation. Telkom’s Lightbulb Programme offers a comprehensive online learning platform that provides supplementary academic support to bridge gaps in the digital education space by giving learners access to quality educational resources and tools that enhance learning outcomes, proving that there is always a second chance for every learner to obtain a qualification to attain their dreams.