For the 2026 Matric Rewrite in South Africa: Here’s How to Register for the DBE’s Second Chance Programme
Thousands of South African learners who want to improve or complete their matric results in 2026 can do so through the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP). The programme allows eligible candidates to rewrite or upgrade their National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate (SC) in the May/June 2026 examination sitting, with registration closing on 6 February 2026.
The Second Chance Matric Programme is a free, official government initiative aimed at supporting learners who did not meet the requirements for a full matric certificate or who want to improve their marks. The programme plays a key role in the National Development Plan by helping to increase learner retention and improve access to further education and employment.
Registration for the 2026 cycle opened on 1 October 2025 and will run until 6 February 2026. Learners can register online via the DBE’s e-services platform at www.eservices.gov.za, or in person at their nearest DBE district office or an accredited examination centre. To register, candidates must have a valid South African ID and a statement of their previous matric results.
The programme is open to two main groups. NSC candidates, who wrote matric from 2008 onwards, can rewrite failed subjects, improve existing marks, or complete outstanding subjects needed for a full National Senior Certificate. Senior Certificate candidates, who are generally adult learners aged 18 and older, can also improve their results through the Senior Certificate route.
Examinations for both NSC and SC candidates will take place in May/June 2026.
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As part of the Second Chance Matric Programme, learners receive a range of academic support. This includes face-to-face tutoring at selected centres, as well as multimedia learning resources such as video lessons and radio broadcasts. Learners also get access to DBE’s Mind the Gap study guides, which are designed to help candidates focus on key exam topics.
Support is offered in several high-demand subjects, including Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History, English First Additional Language, and Agricultural Science.
The DBE has again warned learners to be cautious of private service providers who charge fees for registration or access to the programme. The Second Chance Matric Programme is completely free, and all official registrations are done through the DBE via www.eservices.gov.za.
Learners who plan to rewrite matric in 2026 are urged not to wait until the last minute. Missing the 6 February 2026 deadline means missing the opportunity to sit for the May/June 2026 exams, which could delay further study or career plans by another year.