Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, on Monday, 20 October 2025, confirmed the DBE’s state of readiness to administer the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations. A total of 903,561 candidates has registered to write the 2025 NSC examinations, comprising of 766,543 full-time candidates, the highest number since the inception of public examinations in 1996, and 137,018 part-time candidates. The Minister added that this milestone reflects the culmination of twelve years of dedication, resilience, and partnership among learners, educators, parents, and communities: “Education remains the heartbeat of South Africa’s future”.
A total of 162 question papers has been set and moderated by expert panels and quality-assured by Umalusi and papers have been adapted into Braille, large print, and South African Sign Language for learners with disabilities. “This year's exams represent the culmination of 12 years of effort, resilience and collaboration between learners, teachers, parents and communities. Education remains the heartbeat of South Africa's future”. The Minister made these remarks during a media briefing on the state of readiness for the 2025 NSC in Skukuza, Mpumalanga Province.
Minister Gwarube has expressed her satisfaction about the number of learners taking Mathematics as it has risen to over 259,000 in 2025, marking a reversal of the recent downward trend: “This is a positive development, and we must build on this momentum”.
To ensure learner readiness, the DBE has implemented a comprehensive support campaign under four pillars: learner support, teacher support, curriculum enrichment and school readiness. Over 130,000 learners participated in Autumn, Winter and Spring Camps across 75 districts, focusing on gateway subjects like Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences. Teachers in underperforming subjects and districts received training and support, whilst learners benefited from resources such as Mind the Gap booklets, digital study materials, and online and social media tutorials.
Comprehensive risk management measures have been implemented, including secured and alarmed printing sites, access control, and GPS-tracked distribution vehicles. Each province has developed contingency plans to mitigate risks such as load shedding, severe weather and protest action. Alternative venues and generator capacity have been arranged to ensure no learner is disadvantaged. The Department is also advancing modernisation through its e-marking pilot in Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Accounting to enhance accuracy and efficiency in marking.
“All nine Provincial Education Departments have confirmed their readiness. Our learners are ready. Our teachers have gone beyond the call of duty. The entire system, from registration to marking, has been governed by strict standards and rigorous audits,” the Minister reassured the nation.