Prisoners achieve impressive 94.4% pass rate in National Senior Certificate examinations

Prisoners across the country achieved an overall pass rate of 94.4 percent, surpassing the national average of 88 percent for the National Senior Certificate.

Last year, 180 learners from 18 schools sat for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) hosted the NSC results at Goodwood Prison on Monday, and Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald said it has 19 registered schools offering Further Education and Training (Grade 10 to 12).

Overall Pass Rate: The overall pass rate stands at an impressive 94.4 percent, once again surpassing the national average of 88 percent, 100% Pass Rate Schools: Fifteen of our schools achieved a 100 percent pass rate, an improvement from 13 schools in 2024 and Distinctions: A total of 132 distinctions were earned.

Usethubeni in Durban-Westville (KwaZulu-Natal) and Baviaanspoort (Gauteng Region) have maintained a 100 percent pass rate for the past ten years.

Female Centre Success: The Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre School achieved a 100 percent pass rate.

Groenewald said KwaZulu-Natal deserves special recognition, producing the highest number of matriculants (50 learners), with 45 attaining Bachelor passes.

Usethubeni alone accounted for 31 learners, all of whom achieved Bachelor passes. 

Groenewald stated that Mathematics remains a critical gateway subject. “Correctional Services schools have never struggled with Mathematics in previous years. We recruit capable educators, and we are confident that our learners can succeed when properly supported,” he stated.

“Offenders continue to perform well in Accounting and other technical subjects, and we must channel our efforts towards subjects that will reshape their career paths post-incarceration. What is unique about our environment is that learners are able to put theory into practice through our production workshops, farms, and other training platforms.

“We must also confront the growing challenge of the boy child being left behind in the education system. Boys are increasingly underrepresented in matric cohorts and are less likely than girls to return through second chance pathways.” In the 2025 NSC examinations, girls outnumbered boys by 56 percent to 44 percent.

“This imbalance requires urgent and targeted intervention. Our inmate population is largely male, and many require educational redirection and support. As we often say, corrections is a societal responsibility, just as education is a societal responsibility,” he detailed.

Last year, 180 learners from 18 schools sat for the NSC examinations.

Groenewald, in announcing the pass rate, stated: “The overall pass rate for Correctional Services Schools in 2025 stands at an impressive 94.4 percent, once again surpassing the national average of 88 percent. Fifteen of our schools achieved a 100 percent pass rate, improving from 13 schools in 2024, and a total of 132 distinctions were earned.

“KwaZulu-Natal deserves special recognition for producing the highest number of matriculants, with 50 learners, of whom 45 attained Bachelor passes. Usethubeni alone accounted for 31 learners, all of whom achieved Bachelor passes. These results demonstrate that our focus is not merely on achieving a pass, but on producing quality outcomes," he stated.

“None of this would be possible without the unwavering commitment of our educators, who continue to teach under uniquely challenging conditions with dedication and professionalism.”

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