Dr Mbude-Mehana, DDG for Transformation Programmes, chaired the meeting with the Eastern Cape Province on 6 February 2025. The Province achieved a pass rate of 84.98% with a 3.6% increase from 2023. The province must be commended for its Mathematics uptake of 42.9%, which is higher than the national average; Mathematics participation and throughput rate is commended. The decline in BCM subjects (Accounting and Economics) is a concern, along with a decrease in Mathematics and Agricultural Science. Participation in Technology subjects needs to improve in line with the implementation of the Three Stream Model. In the province, 673 of the 965 schools that wrote the NSC examination scored above 80%, representing 70% of schools. The 43 schools that scored below 60% must be the focus of the Provincial School Improvement Plan, starting with the four schools and the five schools that scored below 20% and 40% respectively. A total of 402 (86.1%) of the 467 learners that wrote, passed and 246 achieved admission to Bachelor Studies. For districts performing at 80% and above, the quality of passes must be analysed in terms of subjects, the increase of admission to Bachelor Studies and the number of distinctions. The one district that scored below 80%, must be supported in 2025. A total of 85.6% of Eastern Cape learners are Social Grant beneficiaries, with 63.5% being inactive beneficiaries. isiXhosa as a home language is performing well in the province, and it is evident that it is serious about the implementation of MTbBE.

The Eastern Cape excels in teacher availability and attendance in teaching and learning. However, the province is among the lowest-performing in Grades 6 and 9. Most learners in the province are at the emergent and evolving levels in reading and mathematics. Despite being CAPS-compliant, the province faces shortages in curriculum provision and resources. The availability of Grade 9 books is significantly lower in the Eastern Cape compared to other provinces. The province experiences challenges in leadership, management and communication. Infrastructure remains inadequate, particularly in Quintile 1 to 3 schools, with large class sizes. School safety, security, and discipline are areas of concern. Community engagement and parental involvement need improvement.

Acting HoD, Ms Sharon Maasdorp, in her opening address, congratulated the Eastern Cape on their improved NSC results and expressed her appreciation to provincial and district officials, and school principals, especially the primary school principals who have been laying a solid foundation for learners. “We extend a special thanks to DG Mweli for the work that he has done in the province with the Learner Support Programme and Last Push activities ahead of the NSC examination; your presence and intervention was visibly felt.”