DATA TELLS THE IMPORTANT STORY OF THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL GRANTS ON MATRIC SUCCESS

By Precious Mupenzi

• A groundbreaking report on the educational outcomes of Grade 12 learners receiving social protection services has highlighted the significant impact of social grants in South Africa.
• The social grants are not only helping children stay in school, but they are also helping them succeed.
• The evidence of the data collected is showing that social protection is making a measurable difference in education outcomes, according to the Department of Social Development’s Chief Director for Monitoring and Evaluation, Thabani Buthelezi.

Numbers do not lie, and in this case, they tell a powerful story of resilience, progress, and the quiet impact of government support in the lives of millions of young South Africans.

This was the message at the heart of a detailed presentation delivered by the Department of Social Development’s Chief Director for Monitoring and Evaluation, Thabani Buthelezi, as he unpacked findings from a groundbreaking report on the educational outcomes of Grade 12 learners receiving social protection services.

In a presentation to stakeholders on 9 April 2026, Buthelezi used data to paint a clear picture that social grants are not only helping children stay in school, but they are also helping them succeed.

“This report gives us evidence, not assumptions, about what works. It shows that social protection is making a measurable difference in education outcomes,” said Buthelezi.

Following the learner’s journey

The report tracks learners from early childhood through to Grade 12, linking data across multiple government systems to understand how social protection supports their journey.

Buthelezi explained that this approach allows the government to see the full picture.

“We are no longer working in silos. Through data integration, we are able to follow the learner’s journey and ensure that no child falls through the cracks,” he said.

The study brings together information from key departments, including Social Development, Basic Education, Health, Home Affairs, and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), showing how coordinated support contributes to human development.

A system reaching the majority

One of the most striking findings is that 84.2% of learners who wrote matric in 2025 were receiving social grants.

This highlights the scale of social protection in South Africa and its central role in supporting education.

Out of over 729 000 learners who sat for the National Senior Certificate exams, more than 614 000 were social grant beneficiaries, many from no-fee schools and low-income households.

“This is not a small intervention; it is a national system supporting the majority of our learners,” Buthelezi noted.

Performance that challenges perceptions

The data also challenge common misconceptions about learners from poor households.

In 2025, social grant beneficiaries achieved a pass rate of 84.9%, improving from 83.66% in 2024.

More importantly, these learners are not just passing; they are performing well across subjects, even outperforming the national average in key areas such as mathematics and physical science.

“This evidence challenges the narrative that poverty determines outcomes. With the right support, learners are able to achieve and compete at the highest level,” said Buthelezi.

The hidden gap affecting performance

While the results are encouraging, the report also reveals a hidden but critical gap.

Learners who still receive their grants while in Grade 12 perform significantly better than those whose grants have ended.

•⁠ ⁠Active grant learners: 92.1% pass rate
•⁠ ⁠Inactive grant learners: 82.8% pass rate
•⁠ ⁠A gap of 9.3 percentage points

“This is not a coincidence – it is a structural issue. When support is removed too early, it affects outcomes,” Buthelezi explained.

He stressed that many learners lose their Child Support Grant when they turn 18, even if they are still in school.

Beyond matric: the next challenge

The report also highlights what happens after learners leave school.

While almost all learners who pass matric apply for NSFAS, only 33% are ultimately funded and enrolled in higher education.

Barriers such as application costs, lack of digital access, and limited university space continue to hold many back.

“We are seeing strong aspiration among young people. The challenge is ensuring that the system supports them beyond Grade 12,” said Buthelezi.

Evidence driving policy change

Using these findings, the department is proposing practical interventions, including:
•⁠ ⁠Extending the Child Support Grant until the end of Grade 12
•⁠ ⁠Strengthening the transition from school to higher education
•⁠ ⁠Expanding programmes like RISIHA – an initiative that supports vulnerable children through a range of intervention and care services
•⁠ ⁠Improving coordination across government systems

Buthelezi emphasised that these are not theoretical ideas, but solutions grounded in evidence.

“The data is clear. We know where the gaps are, and we know what needs to be done,” he said.

A system that is working and evolving

Closing his presentation, Buthelezi reflected on the broader significance of the findings.

“This report is not just about numbers. It is about a system that is working, and one that we must continue to strengthen so that every child has a fair chance,” he said.

As stakeholders reflected on the findings, one message stood out: when government support is consistent, coordinated, and sustained, it has the power to change not just individual lives, but the future of the country.