Basic Education Minister praises parents and teachers for supporting Grade 12 learners

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has praised the unwavering commitment of parents and teachers in supporting Grade 12 learners during the 2025 academic year, just before the release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.

Speaking Monday, January 12, at the MTV Innovation Centre, Gwarube addressed a ministerial breakfast with the top achievers of the Class of 2025.

She is scheduled to announce the matric results later Monday evening.

“To the parents and guardians in the room: today also belongs to you, as much as it belongs to your children. Behind every high-achieving learner is a home that made sacrifices,” Gwarube said.

She highlighted the sacrifices parents made to ensure their children could focus on learning.

“A home that chose discipline over comfort, encouragement over despair. You carried emotional, financial, and psychological weight so that your children could succeed. You sat through meetings, worried through exam seasons, stretched limited resources, but you never stopped believing, even when the path was unclear.”

Gwarube also praised teachers for their unwavering commitment.

“Teachers are the quiet architects of excellence. You see potential before it becomes visible. You insist on high standards when learners would rather lower them. You correct, guide, encourage, and sometimes simply refuse to give up on a child who may already have given up on themselves.”

She said the achievements of learners are a testament to teachers’ professionalism and belief in the transformative power of education.

“Without excellent teachers, we cannot have excellent learners. Thank you for shaping minds, building confidence, and holding the line for quality education.”

Addressing the top achievers, Gwarube celebrated their accomplishments.

“You have not only passed; you have excelled. In doing so, you have expanded what is possible for yourselves, your families, and your communities. Excellence is not reserved for the privileged few; it is earned through discipline, resilience, and focus.”

She reminded learners that this milestone is only the beginning.

“There will be other hills, other boulders, other moments when progress feels slow or setbacks feel heavy. Do not be discouraged when the climb becomes steep again. Carry forward not just your results, but the habits that produced them: curiosity, effort, humility, and grit. South Africa needs not only your intelligence, but your character.”

Gwarube acknowledged the obstacles learners overcame to reach this point.

“You faced circumstances beyond your control, moments when the climb felt unfair, when progress slipped away just as it seemed within reach. And yet, you persevered.”

The 2025 NSC results will be published in accredited newspapers.

Only candidates’ examination numbers - not their names - will be listed.

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