The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has announced exceptional 2025 National Senior Certificate results, with offender learners achieving a 94.4% pass rate, significantly outperforming the national average of 88%.
The results were unveiled at an awards ceremony held at the Goodwood Correctional Facility, where academic excellence, discipline and perseverance were celebrated.
A total of 180 offender learners from 18 registered correctional education schools wrote the examinations.
Of these, 15 schools recorded a 100% pass rate, an improvement from 13 schools the previous year.
Schools that attained a 100% pass rate per region are as follows:
Eastern Cape region:
Cradock, SADA School of Excellence, and St Albans
Free State and Northern Cape region:
Bokamoso Independent School and Liberty Independent School (both achieved a 100% Bachelor’s pass rate)
Gauteng region:
Emthonjeni (100% Bachelor’s pass rate) and Johannesburg Female.
KwaZulu-Natal region:
Usethubeni (100% Bachelor’s pass rate with 58 distinctions), Ekuseni, Qalakabusha, and Sicebengolwazi (100% Bachelor’s pass rate).
Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West region:
Vuselela, Umlalati, and Thusano.
Western Cape region:
Brandvlei
Learners also achieved a combined 132 distinctions across subjects, underscoring the impact of education as a powerful rehabilitative tool within the correctional system.
KwaZulu-Natal Tops Provincial Performance
KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the best-performing region, producing the highest number of matriculants.
Of the 50 offenders who wrote in the province, 45 achieved Bachelor’s passes, qualifying them for further studies.
Two schools were recognised for outstanding long-term performance:
- Usethubeni Youth School at Westville in KwaZulu-Natal
- Baviaanspoort Youth School in Gauteng
Both institutions maintained a 10-year record of 100% pass rates, a rare achievement across any education system.
The Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre School was also commended for achieving a perfect pass rate in 2025.
Education as a Tool for Rehabilitation
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald, joined by National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale, led the celebrations and acknowledged the efforts of learners, educators, officials and support staff working under challenging conditions.
In his address, Groenewald stressed that education is central to rehabilitation and reintegration, describing academic success as a pathway to personal transformation.
“Education is not just about passing exams. It is about restoring dignity, building confidence and creating opportunities beyond incarceration,” the Minister said.
Concerns Over Subject Choices
While praising the achievements, Groenewald expressed concern over the growing number of learners opting for Mathematical Literacy instead of Mathematics, warning that subject choices can limit future career opportunities.
He encouraged learners to make informed academic decisions that would broaden their prospects after release.
Beyond the statistics, the 2025 matric results reflect a broader narrative of second chances, resilience and the transformative power of education, demonstrating that academic excellence can thrive even within correctional facilities.
ALSO READ | Gayton McKenzie: ‘Failing matric isn’t the end of the world’
