2025 Matric results: Political parties react

Johannesburg
Ntokozo Khumalo

Ntokozo Khumalo

13 January 2026 | 9:50

Political parties have weighed in on the 2025 matric results, welcoming the historic 88% pass rate while warning that deeper structural challenges - particularly in mathematics, STEM education and learner retention - still need urgent attention.

2025 Matric results: Political parties react

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced the Class of 20205 matric exams on Monday 12 January.

Political parties have weighed in on the 2025 matric results, welcoming the historic 88% pass rate while warning that deeper structural challenges - particularly in mathematics, STEM education and learner retention - still need urgent attention.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) raised concerns about the decline in the mathematics pass rate this year compared to the previous year.
“It is, however, a matter of deep concern that the mathematics pass rate has declined from 69% in 2024 to 64%, highlighting that even as overall achievement rises, there are serious gaps in foundational learning that must be urgently addressed.”
Sharing similar sentiments, Rise Mzansi stated that “the basic education system is not producing enough matriculants with strong problem-solving, critical thinking, literacy and numeracy skills who can go on to higher education, training or apprenticeships.”
ActionSA also echoed these concerns and highlighted the ongoing challenge of learner dropouts.
ALSO READ: Matric class of 2025 records SA's highest pass rate ever
“Nearly half of the learners who started the final phase of schooling did not complete matric. This gap is not an abstraction; it reflects a system that continues to lose learners through dropout and repetition.”
The Democratic Alliance noted that these challenges are among the issues it aims to support the Minister in addressing.
“Protecting learners must remain central to reform. This includes ensuring that learners who benefit from social grants are effectively supported to remain in school and complete matric successfully.”
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