Basic Education Minister notes readiness for 2025 matric exams

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Siviwe Gwarube said her department is ready to for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. 

This year, more than 900,000 candidates will sit for the examination.

Gwarube said for the first time since 1996, the DBE has recorded the highest registration rate for full-time candidates with more than 700,000 registered. 

“This year, we have 766,000 candidates who have registered as full-time candidates.  This is the highest number since the public examinations started in 1996. We also have 137,000 part-time candidates…in total we have 900,000 candidates will sit for the 2025 National Senior Certificate matric exams.”

This comes as more than 130,000 part-time candidates will be writing the exam.

On Monday, Gwarube was briefing the media in Skukuza, Mpumalanga, outlining the country’s readiness to deliver a smooth and secure exam season.

The matric exam starts on 21 October and are due to end on 27 November.