In 2023, there were almost 1.2 million children in Grade 10. But two years later, when the class of 2025’s results were released, there were only 779 000 who sat for their matric exams.
What happened to the others?
While many remain in the system after repeating a year, many – almost 200 000 of them – have dropped out of school. We examine why and ask some what led them to turn their backs on school.
Less than half of 2023’s Grade 10s reached matric in 2025
Less than half of 2023’s Grade 10s made it to matric last year. Fifty-one percent of them did not end up in Grade 12 in 2025, with 34% still in the system after repeating Grades 10 and 11, and almost 17% – or 19 494 – dropping out completely.
Teen forced out of high school by gang threats
In 2023, at the age of 16, Jordan Christopher had to leave school because she had been repeatedly threatened on the way to school by local gangsters.
"The learners who were repeating are not a big population. Many students drop out from Grade 10 through to matric, and a large number end up unemployed. That is the red flag that we all need to be concerned about."
Mmusi Maimane
From classroom to prison cell: The path of one Mitchells Plain teenager
At the age of 16 in 2023, Brandon Swartz walked away from Tafelsig High School in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, and into the violent world of the Ugly Americans gang.
‘I wasted my second chance’: How alcohol derailed a young man’s matric journey three times
As the matric Class of 2025 celebrated their results on 12 and 13 January, 21-year-old Sibulele Ngqolozana was reflecting on a very different reality.
"I have no regrets about leaving school because, for me, I make money, I have a house I live in, I drive my own car, and I can see to my kid. Yes, it's a dangerous life I live because I never know when I'm going to die, but I chose this life."
Brandon Swartz
‘School isn’t for everyone’: How music became Nhlanhla Tshabalala’s lifeline
After being expelled from one school and dropping out of another, Nhlanhla Tshabalala has embraced his passion for music, pursuing a career as a DJ and gaining his family's growing acceptance.
‘Doing it for myself and my child’: Matric dropout returns to school after pregnancy setback
Susarah Lefleur, 19, from Colesberg, left school during her matric year in 2025 after falling pregnant, becoming one of many young women whose schooling was disrupted during their final year.
Teen mom D’shané Beyers determined to rewrite missed matric exams
After missing two final matric exams in 2025 after becoming a mother, D’shané Beyers is planning to rewrite those two subjects this year and secure a better future for herself and her child.
Many times, I thought I was going to die.
Jordan Christopher
I ended up choosing friends over my family and spent more time on the streets drinking alcohol than at home.
Sibulele Ngqolozana
I didn’t want to go back because I felt people would judge me.
Susarah Lefleur
Your support affords us the time and resources to produce rich, in-depth journalism that matters.
Assistant Editor | Head of News: Nicki Gules
Journalists: Prega Govender, Sithandiwe Velaphi; Justine Fortuin; Lisalee Solomons and Thabiso Mlaudzi.
Design: Sharlene Rood
Production: Hanlie Gouws
Image credits: STILLFX/Getty Images; samudri7/Canva; Guillem Sartorio/Bloomberg/Getty Images; zaviyar craft/Canva; ER Lombard/Gallo Images; Maskot/Getty Images; Supplied/Jordan Christopher; Supplied/Brandon Swartz; Sithandiwe Velaphi/News24; Supplied/Nhlanhla Tshabalala; Supplied/ Susarah Lefleur; Supplied/D’shané Beyers.
Built with Shorthand