88% matric pass rate shows system stability: Metcalfe

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and Deputy Minister Makgabo Reginah Mhaule celebrate one of the top achievers.

Education expert Professor Mary Metcalfe says excitement over the 2025 matric pass rate is justified. She has attributed the 88% pass rate to a stable education system.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, announced the results in Fairlands, Johannesburg on Monday, with KwaZulu-Natal achieving the highest pass rate at 90%.

Metcalfe explains why there should be excitement.

“I can understand everyone’s extremely happy, the minister has indicated that a pass rate average of 88% is the best that the system has ever produced, and one must remember that this is in the context of the DG stressing, we’ve got a stable system. Now, another way of understanding stable is that, we’ve made a lot of progress, things have stabilised, and to expect huge leaps forward is not realistic. So, this is very good, I’m also delighted with KZN, having done so well.”