Overview
- Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced a national NSC pass rate of 88%, with the Western Cape at 88.2%.
- The Eastern Cape dipped to 84.17% from 84.9% in 2024, remaining the lowest-performing province and missing its 87% target.
- Education analysts report a decline in Bachelor’s passes and highlight the language of learning and weak earlier phases as core problems.
- Eastern Cape MEC Fundile Gade said 392,527 learners were phased out of basic education between 2021 and 2025, urging universities to address capacity gaps.
- Schools in Mfuleni reported gains under severe violence, with Mfuleni Technical Academy at 76%, Manzomthombo at 87%, and Bardale at about 95.7%, as students and teachers described studying under threat.