South Africa’s education quality assurance body, Umalusi, has expressed full confidence in the country’s readiness to conduct, administer, and manage the 2025 end-of-year national examinations.
Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria, Umalusi Chief Executive Officer Dr Mafu Rakometsi said that while a recent audit had identified a few areas of concern, these were not severe enough to affect the overall credibility of the exams.
“The report presented by Dr Dliwayo makes it clear that, by and large, the system is ready for the conduct, administration and management of the 2025 end of year national examinations. For that reason, I can report to the public that the system is ready,” said Rakometsi.
Nearly Million Candidates Registered For 2025 Exams
According to Umalusi’s audit report, more than one million learners are registered to write various national examinations this year. This includes over 900,000 learners who will sit for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams under the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
Of these, 766,543 are full-time candidates, while 137,018 part-time learners — who are improving their previous results — will also participate. In addition, 17,427 candidates will write under the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and 6,174 through the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI).
Examinations will take place across more than 9,400 centres nationwide, covering both public and private assessment bodies.
Audit Confirms Strong Systems In Place
Presenting the audit findings, Umalusi Senior Manager Dr Mary-Antoinette Dliwayo confirmed that the organisation had evaluated all assessment bodies — including the DBE, Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), IEB, and SACAI — to assess their readiness for the exams.
“Based on the evaluation, Umalusi is satisfied that all candidates have been registered in accordance with examination regulations, that question papers have been externally moderated, and that adequate security measures are in place for the printing, packaging and distribution of question papers,” said Dr Dliwayo.
She added that Umalusi is confident that all markers will be properly trained before marking begins on 15 November and continues until 18 December 2025.
Crackdown On Cheating And Irregularities
Dr Rakometsi issued a strong warning to learners and educators to avoid cheating or any form of exam misconduct, emphasising that such behaviour damages the integrity of South Africa’s examination system.
“Umalusi berates and condemns this criminal practice with the contempt it deserves. Cheating compromises the integrity of our national examination system, which we are mandated to jealously protect as a Quality Council.”
He further appealed to parents, guardians, and communities to support learners and protect schools from disruptions during the examination period. “We appeal to parents, guardians, teachers, and every other stakeholder to provide the necessary support to all candidates during this critical period. Umalusi discourages communities from using examinations as leverage for protest action. It is the duty of every South African to jealously protect the education of our children,” he said.
Addressing Areas of Concern
While the audit identified challenges such as a shortage of markers in certain subjects and incomplete data consolidation for the DHET’s N3 exams, Umalusi confirmed that these issues are being addressed and will not affect the overall readiness of the system. All concerns have been shared with the DBE, DHET, IEB, and SACAI for immediate corrective action.
Umalusi will continue to monitor a sample of examination centres to ensure full compliance with examination regulations and maintain the integrity of the results. Following the exams, the quality assurance process will include mark verification, result standardisation, and final approval for release by Umalusi’s Executive Committee on 9 January 2026.
Encouragement For The Class Of 2025
Dr Rakometsi commended education stakeholders for their ongoing commitment to protecting the integrity of the national exams and offered words of encouragement to this year’s matriculants.
“Umalusi applauds the efforts of the Department of Basic Education, Provincial Education Departments, DHET, IEB, SACAI and all other stakeholders for doing everything humanly possible to uphold the credibility and integrity of the examinations. We wish the Class of 2025 strength and determination as they enter the final lap of their educational journey,” he said.
The Department of Basic Education also urged learners to remain focused ahead of the start of the 2025 NSC examinations on 21 October 2025. The department reminded learners to make use of available support materials such as revision guides, radio lessons, and school-based study camps to prepare for success.
With all systems ready, Umalusi and the Department of Basic Education have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the 2025 final examinations are credible, secure, and fair for all candidates across South Africa.
Additional reporting by SANews.gov.za
