Gauteng Gears Up for 2025 Matric Exams: Over 192,000 Candidates Registered for NSC
South Africa’s Gauteng province is fully prepared for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, with a record number of candidates set to sit for the crucial tests. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) announced on Sunday that at least 192,745 learners are registered, marking a significant increase in full-time participants compared to the previous year. Education MEC Matome Chiloane provided an overview of the department’s state of readiness during a media briefing at Parktown Girls High School in Johannesburg, where he also touched on plans for the 2026 school placement process.
The exams, which are a gateway to higher education and employment for many young South Africans, are scheduled to begin on 21 October 2025 and conclude on 27 November 2025. This year’s cohort reflects growing participation in the education system, underscoring the province’s efforts to boost access and performance amid ongoing challenges like infrastructure constraints and teacher shortages.
Surge in Full-Time Candidates Highlights Growing Enrolment
The GDE reported a 6% increase in full-time candidates, with 144,246 learners registered compared to 136,051 in 2024 – an uptick of 8,195. This growth is attributed to improved retention rates and initiatives to support vulnerable learners, such as school nutrition programmes and catch-up sessions post-COVID disruptions. Additionally, 48,499 part-time candidates have signed up, bringing the total to 192,745.
MEC Chiloane emphasised the scale of the operation: “We have 144,246 full-time candidates. And we’ve seen an increase of 8,195 from the previous academic year, 2024. The other 48,499 is the part-time candidates. We have 1,040 centres that are registered to conduct examinations, for both full-time and part-time.”
These figures position Gauteng as one of the largest exam cohorts in the country, behind KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Nationally, over 900,000 candidates are expected to write the NSC exams, which include subjects like mathematics, physical sciences, and languages. The tests will be administered at 1,040 centres across the province, including public schools, independent venues, and designated halls to accommodate the numbers.
Readiness Measures and Support for Learners
The department assured that all logistical preparations are in place, including the printing and secure distribution of exam papers, invigilator training, and contingency plans for load shedding or other disruptions. Chiloane confirmed that more than 1,000 centres are equipped and ready, with enhanced security to prevent leaks or cheating – issues that have plagued past exams.
To support learners, the GDE has rolled out revision programmes, including extra classes, study guides, and online resources. Special attention is being given to high-risk subjects where pass rates have historically lagged, such as maths and science. The province has also partnered with organisations like the National Education Collaboration Trust to provide psychosocial support, addressing exam anxiety amid rising youth mental health concerns.
Chiloane’s briefing also covered the 2026 school placement plan, aimed at streamlining admissions for Grade 1 and 8 learners. The online application system, which has faced criticism for technical glitches in the past, will open earlier to reduce backlogs and ensure fair allocation based on feeder zones and sibling preferences.
Context Amid National Education Challenges
Gauteng’s readiness announcement comes as the country prepares for what Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called a “milestone” year for the NSC exams. Nationally, the exams end on 28 November 2025, with results expected in mid-January 2026. The increase in candidates reflects broader efforts to recover from learning losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, but challenges persist, including teacher shortages and infrastructure deficits.
In 2024, Gauteng achieved an 82.9% pass rate, slightly below the national average of 82.9%, with improvements in gateway subjects. However, disparities remain between urban and township schools, where overcrowding and resource gaps affect outcomes. The GDE aims to push the pass rate above 85% this year through targeted interventions.
Critics, including teacher unions like SADTU, have called for more investment in rural and under-resourced areas to ensure equity. The department has responded by allocating funds for additional classrooms and digital tools, aligning with the national goal of a 90% pass rate by 2030.

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