National Senior Certificate is a life-enhancing qualification

TENS of thousands of matriculants, together with thousands of parental homes, schools and teachers, are tensely awaiting the announcement by the Minister of Basic Education of the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination.

- DR HUW DAVIES

In many ways, the NSC directs a learner’s opportunities and life chances on the road going forward, and the anticipated announcement is probably one of the most important events on the path of the Grade 12 school leaver.

Admission to further study, opportunities in the world of work, and the licence to pursue aspirations - for every individual, these depend on the announcement that is about to be made. Every school leaver has dedicated 12 years or even more to preparation for the examination and has shown tenacity in pursuing this sought-after qualification.

During the 12-year period, the three elements of the instructional triangle have interacted in various ways and with various degrees of intensity - the learners had to play an increasing role; schools and teachers had to work through increasing levels of complexity with the students; and the parental home (including guardians, significant others, and communities) provided support and encouragement where possible.

It is important to realise that no candidate stands alone in the examination - in the background there is a significant group of role players, all of whom have an interest in the outcome of the examination. Has all this hard work been worth it? Is the certificate to be awarded a credible one? Various angles need to be considered in the search for an answer to this question.

In effect, the preparation for the NSC is a 12-year process. If anything goes wrong or comes unstuck during that process, it could heighten or diminish the quality of thequalification for the individual.