The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that an irregularity occurred during the marking of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
The issue was detected through the department’s own internal monitoring systems, prompting an urgent response.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube is expected to address the media today (Thursday, 11 December), where she will outline the steps the department will take to protect the credibility of this year’s matric results. Her briefing is likely to include measures aimed at tightening security and preventing further disruptions.
This year’s Grade 12 group is the largest in South Africa’s history, with more than 900 000 candidates registered. Marking alone is a major operation, involving around 185 marking centres and over 40 000 officials responsible for processing and evaluating exam scripts.
Although the DBE has previously highlighted the strict security controls surrounding the exam process including GPS-tracked transport of papers, specialised security paper for key subjects, and electronic checks during marking the latest breach shows that gaps still exist.
South Africa’s matric system has faced several security concerns over the years. In 2020, leaked Mathematics Paper 2 and Physical Sciences papers nearly led to a national rewrite before the High Court intervened. In 2022, more than 370 learners in Mpumalanga were linked to a cheating syndicate. And although no papers leaked in 2024, early access to results was allegedly sold online, triggering another investigation.
Despite new security measures introduced since then, the recurring issues continue to raise questions about the reliability and fairness of the NSC process.
With learners, parents and schools anxiously awaiting the release of results, the latest breach risks damaging public trust. Depending on what the investigation reveals, the DBE may be forced to consider a rewrite or at least a review of potentially compromised scripts.
As the country awaits Minister Gwarube’s briefing, many are looking for clear answers and firm action to ensure the integrity of South Africa’s most important school examination.
