What lies beyond the hype of matric results

SUCCESS in the high stakes National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams is regarded as the gateway to a better quality of life in South Africa.

- RONICKA MUDALY

However, structural inequalities, economic downturns, policy constraints, and social realities in South Africa often thwart opportunities and undermine the promise of education as a panacea to the problem of poverty.Post-matriculants can expect to encounter challenges as they transition into the post-school environment where unemployment among the 15to 24-year-old population was reportedly 58% in the third quarter of 2025, according to Statistics South Africa. The current job market is skills-based, and individuals with a tertiary qualification, or those who have high levels of digital literacy, or individuals who come to the job market with work experience, are more likely to be employed. Statistics reveal that only one in 10 South African pupils finds a job within the first year after leaving school.

Challenges in the post-matric environment

Structural challenges in the post-matric context include weak linkages between school education and expectations of the workplace. Geographic inequalities, where youth from rural settings have fewer opportunities to enter the job market, pose additional obstacles. Many higher education institutions and employment opportunities are concentrated in urban centres, requiring relocation that is often financially and emotionally difficult.

Limited access to reliable transport, accommodation, and digital infrastructure further restricts participation in post-school education and in the job market. The digital divide remains a significant barrier, affecting access to online applications, learning platforms, and employment opportunities. Other barriers to employment include the exponential growth of Al, automation and economic stagnation. These challenges play out within a context where inequality which is rooted (historically and currently) in race, class and location, persists.

Post-school education pathways