The homework is done, the pencils are sharpened — and it’s all systems go for the Class of 2025 as the final exams officially begin this week.
Pupils will start with computer applications technology practicals and a mix of foreign languages, including Hindi and German on Tuesday before all matrics sit down together on Thursday for English — the first major paper of the season.
They will write English first additional, second and home language papers across the country.
Education minister Siviwe Gwarube said her department was ready for the country’s biggest test of the year, with 903,561 learners registered to write — the highest number since public matric exams began in 1996.
“This year’s exams represent the culmination of 12 years of effort, resilience and collaboration between learners, teachers, parents and communities,” Gwarube said. “Education remains the heartbeat of SA’s future.”
A total of 162 question papers have been set, moderated and printed under tight security, she said. Each exam truck is GPS-tracked, and every stop is logged to protect the integrity of the papers.
For learners with disabilities, papers have been adapted into Braille, large print and SA Sign Language.
Over 130,000 pupils have attended study camps this year to brush up on tough subjects like maths and science, while teachers received extra support in underperforming districts, Gwarube said.
Pupils also got digital study packs, Mind the Gap booklets and online tutorials to help them prepare.
Contingency plans are in place for load-shedding, protests or bad weather, including backup venues and generators to ensure exams continue without disruption.
Encouragingly, more than 259,000 learners will write maths this year — a welcome turnaround after years of decline.
“When we get the basics right, we reduce repetition, dropouts and improve participation,” said Gwarube.
Last week, pupils, parents and teachers took a Pledge of Integrity, promising honesty and fairness throughout the exam period.
Gwarube said: “Our systems are secure, our educators are prepared, and our learners are ready.”
The exams run from October 21 to late November, with the overall results to be announced on January 12 and released the following day.
The SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) said it wished all the candidates who will be sitting for the exams "the best of luck".
"The importance of these examinations cannot be overstated," the union said.
"They mark the culmination of 12 to 13 years of schooling and serve as a gateway to tertiary education.
"The examinations also play a crucial role in benchmarking the quality of SA's education system."
SADTU said the journey of the Class of 2025 has not been easy.
"Their learning was disrupted by the [nationwide] Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 during their Grade 7 and 8.
"We commend both learners and teachers for their resilience, hard work, and determination in overcoming these challenges and making it to this crucial stage."
SADTU said the exams should take place without incident.
"We call on all stakeholders in education – parents, communities, transport providers, and government – to offer their outmost support to learners during this critical time.
"We further urge everyone to uphold the principles of SADTU’s 'I Am a School Fan' campaign by protecting schools from thuggery, violence, and vandalism.
"We appeal to communities to ensure that roads leading to schools are not blockaded as part of community protests, and that school transport services operate smoothly so that learners can arrive safe, on time."
Western Cape education MEC David Maynier said: "We offer a special vote of thanks to our matric teachers, who are tasked with rounding out a child’s schooling and bringing more than a decade of investment in our learners to fruition.
"Our teachers have done an incredible job in supporting our candidates and helping to prepare them for the challenge ahead.
"Their efforts will continue to pay dividends long after our learners complete their exams. Our teachers have cemented the foundations of our children’s future careers, because behind every dream realised is a teacher who believed."
Maynier's Eastern Cape counterpart Fundile Gade said 122,030 candidates will write the exams in the province.
"We call upon all learners to write their exams with confidence, remembering that their effort today shapes their tomorrow," he said.
"The department remains resolute in ensuring credibility, fairness, and safety across all our examination centres."
In the 2024 matric exams, SA achieved a national pass rate of 82.9%, the second highest in the country’s history.
The Free State once again came out on top, followed by KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape, all performing above the national average.
Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape followed, while Limpopo achieved 79.5% and the Eastern Cape 81.4%, both showing steady improvement from the previous year.
Umalusi chief executive Dr Mafu Rakometsi also confirmed the council will no longer oversee the quality assurance or issue certificates for the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) levels two and three exams.
He said Umalusi will still handle quality assurance for NCV level four qualifications.
At the same time, Umalusi confirmed it is ready for the 2025 national exams for the national senior certificate and other qualifications.
Basic education parliamentary portfolio committee chair Joy Maimela also wished participants well.
“It is a very strenuous period in their academic journey," Maimela said.
"Please keep a watchful eye on them to ensure they are in a good state of mind and have an enabling environment to study.
"This is the culmination of 12 years of schooling leading to one final examination. We therefore call on parents, families, friends, educators, officials and communities at large to help create the best possible conditions for these learners to succeed.”
*This article was first published by IOL News
