Private schools maintain standards with 98.31% matric pass rate in 2025

The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has announced a 98.31% overall pass rate for the Class of 2025 in the National Senior Certificate examinations.

"It may appear like it's a decline or a decrease, but that's not how we're looking at it. We're framing this within a context of the broader landscape that we find ourselves in as IEB.

"The IEB has been growing tremendously over the past few years. If you look at growth in the last two years, it's 15%. When you see such growth in any assessment system, you ought to expect that there will be fluctuations in terms of performance, and that's what we're seeing. We knew this was going to happen. But nonetheless, what is important is to note that performance has not really dropped. It's rigorous. It's high. Standards are being maintained. I think at the end of the day, that's really what matters, that standards are being maintained," explains Dikgole.

She points to the strong bachelor pass rate as evidence of the quality of the outcomes.

"These learners have really done very well.

If you look at performance inthe bachelor pass, it's better than what we had in 2023, and that is what speaks to the quality of the passes. The fact that 89% of these learners could attain a bachelor pass rate really speaks for itself in terms of the standard that is being maintained here. So, we're confident and reassured."

More than 16,000 full-time candidates wrote the exams in 2025, driven by new schools opting into the IEB system and organic growth within existing schools.

Dikgole also highlights strict monitoring measures, including live camera surveillance and physical inspections at exam centres, aimed at safeguarding the credibility of the examinations.

To listen to Dikgole in conversation with 702 and CapeTalk's Mandy Wiener, use the audio player below: