How KZN's Second Chance Programme offers hope for unsuccessful matrics
"Rise, refocus and achieve"
Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka urges learners to seize Second Chance after record-breaking NSC results.
Image: Supplied
KWAZULU NATAL (KZN) Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has extended hope to 100 000 unsuccessful matric pupil through the Second Chance Programme.
Among them, one determined pupil sees this as her pathway to realising her nursing career aspirations
The Class of 2025 achieved a historic milestone, recording an exceptional national pass rate of 88% - the highest in South Africa’s history.
KZN emerged as the top-performing province with a pass rate of 90.6%, while all other provinces recorded pass rates above 80%.
More than 900 000 learners wrote the 2025 NSC examinations, making it the largest matric class in the country’s history. Of this, approximately 12% - around 100 000 pupils - did not meet the requirements to pass.
Hlomuka said these pupils should not lose hope and urged them to register for the Second Chance Programme, which allowed pupils to rewrite selected subjects and improve their results during the May/June 2026 exam sitting.
“Not achieving the desired outcomes in the examinations does not define a pupil’s future. The Second Chance Programme is a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that every pupil is given an opportunity to succeed,” said Hlomuka.
For some pupils, the programme represents a renewed sense of hope and determination.
Iviwe Gwala from Carl Malcomess High School in Kokstad, is determined to use the Second Chance Programme to pursue her dream career.
Despite achieving a Diploma pass, Iviwe said she was disappointed with her results as she did not meet the requirements to study towards a Bachelor of Nursing degree.
“I am disappointed with my results. All my life I wanted to study nursing, but I was not accepted,” she said.
“I want to take this opportunity to improve my maths and science marks. I do not want to end up doing something that I do not like,” Iviwe added.
Eligible pupils are encouraged to register at their nearest district education offices or designated centres, where they would receive guidance on subject selection, registration requirements and available academic support.
Registration for the programme is open until February 6.
The Second Chance Programme offers structured revision, curriculum-focused support and access to learning materials to help pupils address areas of weakness identified during the exams.
Hlomuka also called on parents, guardians and communities to play an active role in supporting pupils, emphasising that collective encouragement was vital to academic success.
“The Second Chance Programme is exactly that - a second opportunity to rise, refocus and achieve. We urge our pupils to seize it with determination and confidence,” he said.