The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education announced that the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations began without disruption on Wednesday. Pupils across the province completed the Computer Applications Technology Paper 1 practical examination, with the department saying all examination centres operated efficiently and without incident. 

It said the largest public examination administered by a provincial education department in South Africa began strongly, with day one proceeding as planned. The integrity and credibility of the entire examination process were maintained through the secure collection, receipt, and storage of all examination materials at designated nodal points, the department said.

Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka was satisfied with the systems and protocols established to protect the integrity of the NSC examinations.

“I am pleased with the checks and balances and the mechanisms implemented to ensure a successful outcome on day one. The department’s preparation and coordination have been exemplary,” Hlomuka said. 

The department also expressed gratitude to all officials, invigilators, teachers and parents for their commitment to ensuring the success of the 2025 NSC examinations. 

Hlomuka monitored the start of examinations in the province at Scottburgh High School in the Ugu District. He also spoke to teachers and pupils, offering support and encouragement. 

Hlomuka mentioned that several schools began their exams on Tuesday.

“That means we are ready and we must really appreciate the role that is played by the community at large and our educators who have been teaching our learners, and also parents who allow their children to go to school and motivate them,” Hlomuka said, during a media briefing at the school. 

He said the school principal confirmed that in the 2024 academic year, they achieved a 98% pass rate because of the work they did and are confident that this year they will get 100%. 

Hlomuka said they are certain they will not drop from the 89.5% pass rate achieved in the province in 2024. 

“We are not competing with any province. We are competing with ourselves. How? By ensuring that we improve our results. If we improve our results and others don’t improve their results, and we happen to be number one, we will be happy, we will be grateful for that, but we are not in competition. Our competition is to ensure that our learners receive good quality education,” Hlomuka said. 

Umdoni Municipality Mayor Mbali Cele-Luthuli said: “I am also confident that Umdoni schools will do well. I would also like to encourage learners to take advantage of our registration fee assistance programme, designed to ensure that underprivileged matriculants are awarded an opportunity to continue to the next level of education.” 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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