76 000 matric candidates are ‘progressed learners’: Department

The Department of Basic Education says 76 000 candidates out of the more than 960 000 sitting for this year’s matric final examinations are “progressed learners”.

The department and Umalusi briefed the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on the exams’ readiness and measures put in place to ensure the examination period goes smoothly.

Examinations are being held at more than 7 000 centres across the country.

Chief Director in Examinations Priscilla Ogunbanjo says this year’s number of progressed learners has doubled compared to last year.

“You would know our story with the progressed learners, learners who may not have met the full promotion requirements, but also, we have shown consistently over the years how these learners have actually performed very well when they’ve been given the opportunity to move.

This year, we have doubled the number of that category of learners compared to last year.

Last year, we had 41 000 of them.

This year we have 76 000,” says Ogunbanjo.

The department says they have prepared well and are ready for this year’s matric final year examination that commenced on Tuesday.

Parliament briefed on 2026 Matric examination readiness: