The class of 2025 achieved a cumulative 88% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate, the basic education department said on Tuesday, releasing the results.
The Free State led with a 91% pass rate, and the Northern Cape was at the bottom of the pack with an 84.2% pass rate.
In light of the results, experts have shared advice as to where the cohort should pursue their tertiary education.
“In South Africa today, the reality is that one has to study something in line with what the job market requires. This is a lot more important than the actual institution,” Labour Expert, Michael Bagraim said.
“Obviously, science maths, engineering and electronics or the pointers for the job market in the future. [Artificial Intelligence] AI, electronic engineering and computer science will be the backbone of the future economy,” he said.
“We, as South Africans, tend to place higher value on a university degree even if it is in the social sciences. We are going to need more electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, tilers and technicians.”
He applauded public institutions for collaborating with private institutions to empower learners and students.
Bagraim said that many universities have turned to the business community to work together.
“It goes without saying that the established and recognised universities will receive preference when equal applicants apply.”
Bagraim also stressed that employers don’t want to train employees from scratch.
“Employers are looking for specialised skills coupled with productivity. Individual students are encouraged to study the job market so as to ensure that when they choose their institution and subjects of choice they will bear in mind what is required out there in the market,” he said.
Education Activist Hendrick Makaneta said that learners need to pick relevant and sustainable careers as per the world today.
“We wish to reiterate that this moment is not just about marks, it is also about decisions that learners will have to make, the job market is changing very fast and we’ve noted that this is driven by technology and innovation,” he said.
He said learners are going to be problems solvers in the near future.
“We want to encourage young people to pursue courses that prepare them for future fields, like technology, engineering, health sciences and renewable energy. We must teach them to adapt so that they can have the skills that are required to solve problems that are faced by the nation,” Makaneta said.
“Not every learner will follow the same path, universities and tvet institutions are available to provide a wide range of programmes, our responsibility as a society is to guide them towards relevant and sustainable careers. Education must open doors and not limit the dreams that learners have.”
Meanwhile, some universities and colleges have opened late applications for the 2026 academic year.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament and Convener of the EFF Youth Command, Sihle Lonzi, took to social media to express concern that over 600,000 learners passed matric in 2025, of which 345,000 qualify for tertiary admission; however, universities and TVETs only have less than 200,000 spaces for first-year students.
Lonzi further expressed dissatisfaction about the preparedness of the stakeholders in the tertiary education, including SETAs, CETs and other bodies, citing mismanagement and theft of funds as a primary cause for the higher education crisis, saying it has led to the high number of young people who are not in employment, education or training.
The Star
