Online School, Brainline, says the increase in the matric results of the Class of 2025 speak volumes of the learners’ mature and disciplined approach to the use of online resources provided to them. Brainline CEO, Coleen Cronje, says this has directly resulted in the class of 2025 achieving the highest pass rate to date: a staggering 91.66%. This is up from 88.8% last year. The Department of Basic Education will release the final matric results on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. Almost one million candidates sat for the final exams. Cronje says the results highlight the competitive edge of Brainline, particularly among students who maintain high levels of engagement.
‘We are extremely proud of all our Grade 12 learners who managed to achieve exceptional results overall. Once considered a niche alternative, online schools, such as Brainline, are emerging as high-performing institutions, often rivalling traditional brick-and-mortar schools in National Senior Certificate (NSC) results,’ she says.
Brainline is registered with the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), who is often seen as more rigorous and geared towards university entrance. In this regard, a whopping 69.7% of Brainline’s Grade 12 learners qualify for university entrance.
Overall, Brainline students achieved an outstanding set of results this year, earning 118 A’s, 220 B’s and 246 C’s. Five students achieved three distinctions, while two students earned four distinctions. An exceptional three students – Nina Bekker, Caeley Scheepers and Kelly Taylor – achieved six distinctions. Rounding this off, two students attained seven distinctions. One of these top performers, Jenna van Rooyen, also achieved 100% in Mathematics and is ranked among the IEB’s Top 5% achievers.
Cronje says the success of online schools is not accidental but is the result of a deliberate integration of technology, specialized pedagogy, and robust support systems
‘Brainline uses sophisticated data analytics to track student activity in real-time, to red-flag learners at risk of failing, with the purpose of early intervention, in collaboration with the parent/guardian. This alerts parents to early warning signs and suggests various options for intervention. An added advantage is that learners are able to apply self-pacing, allowing for more time to be spent on problematic areas of the curriculum.’
Cronje alluded to the fact that the role of the educator in an online environment was gradually shifting from that of a teacher, to that of a facilitator and mentor, supported by a dedicated academic advisor for non-academic support. She says there is, however, still a need for increased parental involvement and a good synergy between the school and the home.
‘At Brainline, parents can keep their fingers on the pulse of the academic progress of the learner by way of the dedicated “Parent Portal”, which provides real-time insight into the daily academic activities of each learner. This results in higher levels of parental oversight, which is a proven factor in academic success.’
Cronje says the increasing pass rates of online schools in South Africa can be attributed to a “perfect storm” of technological innovation and a shift toward student-centric education. She says by leveraging data to ensure engagement, providing personalized support, and fostering a strong home-school partnership, these institutions have created a model that effectively prepares students for the rigors of the National Senior Certificate. As internet accessibility continues to improve across the country, online schooling is likely to become an even more dominant force in the South African educational landscape. She does acknowledge that challenges with electricity, data, access to devices and digital literacy remain a factor.
With the release of the matric results, many students will be able to enjoy a sigh of relief, while others must confront the fact that they may not have met the pass requirements for their final year. Cronje says this does not mean that their matric certificate is out of reach.
‘Failing your matric can be quite a shock to the system, however, now is not the time to be despondent, as there are numerous options to consider such as a remarking of a particular subject or to repeat that subject,’ she explains. ?
Another option would be to apply for a supplementary exam, which could provide a second chance at success. Cronje says that, whatever the outcome, learners should remember that the subjects they did pass will always remain to their credit. Brainline offers the unique opportunity for learners who need one or more subjects to complete their matric, or who would like to improve their results without the restrictions of a traditional school.
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Author: Sya Potgieter from Brainline.
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