More than 40,000 fewer full-time pupils wrote the 2011 matric examination compared to the previous year.
Bobby Soobrayan, director general of Basic Education, said that 496,090 wrote the 2011 National Senior Certificate - some 41,443
fewer than in 2011.
Soobrayan was speaking ahead of the official announcement of the annual matric results.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga was expected to release the matric pass rate later on Wednesday.
Last year there was a 67.8 percent matric pass rate.
Without releasing the much anticipated result, Soobrayan said he believed that the education system was “stabilising”.
To obtain a pass, a pupil must achieve 40 percent in his or home language as well as 40 percent in two other subjects and three subjects at 30 percent. - Sapa