Why matric results week is so stressful for families

Parents need to be especially mindful

- By Mbalenhle Zuma

As the release of the 2025 Grade 12 results approaches, anxiety is building in households across South Africa, with pupils and parents bracing themselves for one of the most emotionally demanding moments of the school year.

University of Pretoria clinical psychologist Sibongile Sibanyoni told Sunday World this week that the stress surrounding matric results is largely driven by uncertainty and the weight attached to this milestone.

“The completion of Grade 12 represents a major turning point in a young person’s life,” Sibanyoni explains.

“Not knowing what the future holds after this point can create significant anxiety for both learners and their families.”

For many matriculants, results week feels like a defining moment. Against the backdrop of high youth unemployment, academic performance is often seen as the key to unlocking future opportunities.

“In the South African context, matric results are frequently viewed as a passport to further education, training or employment. This perception places enormous pressure on learners, who may feel that their entire future depends on a single set of results.”