NAPTOSA welcomes record 88% matric pass rate, warns challenges remain

The Class of 2025 has achieved an 88% matric pass rate, the highest in the country's history.

On Monday, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the milestone reflects improvements across the schooling system and credited the results to the hard work of learners, teachers and parents.

National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa Executive Director Basil Manuel says it's a proud moment.

"We're pleased with the results, more than the percentage. We're pleased that there is an improvement in the overall quality of results."

Manuel says it is important not only to look at results as they pertain to access to higher education.

"You have to look lower down. How many learners needed 30% to pass a subject? And that has decreased significantly."

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said on Monday that the results reflect a strong foundation in education.

Manuel agrees, but says the focus on foundation-stage (junior primary) education is in its early days.

"This is a huge mountain to climb."

But he adds that praise is due to the Minister for her efforts.

"For grasping the nettle, running with the ball and ensuring that people start focusing on improving the foundation, and we are 100% behind that."

Manuel notes that there is still much to do, particularly in areas such as literacy and in improving smaller schools and those in rural areas.

"Small schools, in particular, are presenting a problem, because small high schools have a great difficulty in achieving because a single teacher sometimes teaches three matric subjects."

While celebrating the achievement, questions remain about under-resourced schools and the provision of welfare grants.

In her post-results speech, Gwarube noted the link between educational outcomes and social support.

Manuel agrees it is an issue that must be tackled.

"There's a marked difference between the child who continues to get the grant and the child whose grant stopped in Matric."

To listen to Manuel in conversation with 702/CapeTalk's Africa Melane, use the audio player below: