The province usually excels in dominating the National Senior Certificate results, having secured the number one position nationally for the sixth consecutive year. However, MPLs are now calling for improvements that go beyond statistics.

In the 2025 academic year, the Free State attained a 48% Bachelor’s pass rate, meaning that out of every hundred learners, 48 qualified to pursue a university degree.

EFF MPL Malefane Msimanga praised the department’s efforts during a legislature sitting, but emphasised the need for a more meaningful impact. “This is one department one can associate with as a person from the Free State, and they keep it up doing this good work that they are doing.

“We are happy to hear that learners are ready in the Free State province, but what we would want to see moving forward is not just to be number one just in terms of passing rate, but with more distinctions, with more exemptions.”

The department must now aim to lead not only in quantity but in the quality of matric results, he said. “The quality of results this time, the Free State must also lead in terms of quality results because it will lead to a situation whereby young people are easily accessing institutions of higher learning because they will have quality results.”

He warned producing poor matric results, even if the pass rate is high, could have lasting negative consequences for young people, including social alienation and vulnerability to substance abuse.

MEC Julia Maboya acknowledged the concerns and said the department is already working to improve the relevance and quality of the education system. “The education system has not been relevant to most learners to the extent that they have been channeled to the academic stream,” she admitted.

To address this, the department has introduced the three-stream model in schools, allowing learners to choose between academic, vocational, and technical pathways based on their skills and interests.

“We have introduced what we call a three-stream model, where we are also introducing your vocational and technical subjects. So, we have a plan as a department to expand the number of these schools that are offering your technical subjects, schools that are offering agricultural subjects, and schools that are offering the art subjects,” Maboya explained.

‘When learners leave school, they don’t just leave with one certificate, but with several’

She highlighted the rollout of a multi-certification programme aimed at improving learners’ employability after matric. “When learners leave school, they don’t just leave with one certificate, but with several, as they will be accredited in a range of additional courses,” she said.

“This ensures that those who want to work after matric can do so, and those who wish to go to higher learning institutions also do so.”

While acknowledging that the results have not always met the desired quality, Maboya said the department is committed to addressing the issue and improving standards going forward.

The 2025 matric exams are set to take place from October 20 to November 27.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi