Class of 2025 Breaks Records, SASSA Students Lead the Way

A stronger matric year puts social grants in the spotlight

The Class of 2025 has delivered one of the strongest matric performances in recent years and at the heart of that success story are hundreds of thousands of learners supported by social grants.

Speaking in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe highlighted how South Africa’s social protection system continues to shape educational outcomes, especially for learners receiving the Child Support Grant.

This year’s results, she said, offer clear evidence that financial support for vulnerable households is translating into real academic progress.

Most matric learners are SASSA beneficiaries

Out of 729,650 candidates who registered for the 2025 National Senior Certificate exams, more than 614,000 were social grant beneficiaries making up over 84% of all learners.

Despite economic challenges faced by many of these households, the group recorded an 84.9% pass rate. While slightly below the national average of 88%, the figure marks a significant improvement compared to 74% in 2021.

Government has described this as the strongest performance yet recorded among social grant beneficiaries.

“Social protection works,” says minister

Tolashe used the release of the report to underline what she called decades of evidence supporting social assistance programmes.

According to her, the results reflect more than just academic effort they highlight how long-term policy investment in social grants is helping reshape life chances for children in low-income households.

She emphasised that grants should not be seen as short-term relief, but as a long-term investment in human development and poverty reduction.

From classroom success to first-generation graduates

Beyond matric results, government also pointed to a broader social impact: many learners supported by grants are the first in their families to complete school successfully and move toward higher education.

This milestone, officials say, positions them as important drivers of change within their communities, with the potential to uplift households and open new economic pathways.

Social protection, combined with education support, continues to be framed as a key strategy in tackling intergenerational poverty.

Countering misconceptions about grant usage

The report also addressed ongoing public perceptions about the Child Support Grant, particularly claims that funds are not always used for their intended purpose.

According to findings shared by the department, most households direct grant money toward essential needs such as schooling, nutrition, healthcare, and child development.

Officials described the system as a practical partnership between government and families aimed at improving child wellbeing and long-term opportunity.

A message of resilience from Mdantsane

Standing before learners and education stakeholders, Tolashe paid tribute to the determination of pupils who completed their schooling under often difficult circumstances.

She described them as young people carrying the hopes of entire households, noting that their success reflects both personal resilience and the impact of targeted state support.

For government, the Class of 2025 is being viewed not just as a set of exam results, but as proof that when social protection meets opportunity, meaningful progress is possible for South Africa’s youth.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com