Easing the wait: Helping your teen handle Matric results anxiety
Anxiety is rising among learners and parents across the Western Cape, where thousands of families are waiting to see whether pupils have passed.
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As the 2025 Matric results are set to be released on January 13, 2026, anxiety is rising among learners and parents across the Western Cape, where thousands of families are waiting to see whether pupils have passed, achieved a Bachelor’s pass, or met the requirements for their chosen study paths. For many teenagers, the outcome feels like a judgment on their entire future, intensifying pressure during an already stressful period.
This year’s results are released against the backdrop of a significant legal development that has brought clarity — but also renewed debate — around how Matric outcomes are published. In December 2025, the Gauteng High Court confirmed that Matric results may be published publicly using examination numbers only, ruling that this does not violate the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
The court rejected arguments that learners could realistically be identified through exam numbers, noting that this system has long been used to balance access to information with privacy. However, the Information Regulator has since indicated its intention to seek leave to appeal, meaning the issue remains a point of national attention as results day approaches.
Against this backdrop, experts say the real priority for Western Cape families should be emotional support rather than outcomes alone. Dr Lauren Martin, a counselling psychologist and dean at SACAP, said parents should be intentional about keeping perspective. She emphasised that focusing narrowly on marks can increase distress, while highlighting strengths, effort and adaptability helps young people understand that there are multiple routes to success.
According to Martin, reinforcing the idea that Matric results define a person’s worth or future can place teens under harmful pressure and heighten the risk of mental-health challenges.
JP Moller, an educator at SACAP, said the waiting period before results are released is critical. He encouraged parents to acknowledge that learners have already done all they could and to help shift attention away from constant worry by keeping teens engaged in healthy activities. Maintaining routines around sleep, exercise and nutrition, and creating space for open conversation, can help calm anxiety and counter catastrophic thinking.
Moller warned that persistent behavioural changes — such as withdrawal, irritability, emotional outbursts, disrupted sleep or excessive worry — may indicate that stress is becoming overwhelming. In such cases, he said early intervention from a counsellor, psychologist or doctor is important.
Once results are released, parents are urged to help teens look forward rather than dwell on disappointment. Praneetha Jugdeo, head of SACAP’s Durban campus, said success is rarely linear and that alternatives such as Higher Certificate programmes or structured gap years can provide valuable opportunities for growth, skills development and clearer decision-making.
Mental-health support remains essential throughout this period. Families can access help through SADAG, The Counselling Hub, and LifeLine South Africa.
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