While results will appear in newspapers, learners’ names will not be included. The DBE has received permission to publish only learners' exam numbers, ensuring anonymity.
This decision follows weeks of legal and regulatory scrutiny over the publication of matric results and how it aligns with South Africa’s privacy laws.
Legal Battle Over Privacy Concerns
Last month, South Africa’s Information Regulator (IR) issued an enforcement notice to the DBE. The notice claimed that publishing matric results in newspapers would violate the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act), which protects individuals’ personal data and requires explicit consent for its use.
The IR argued that the DBE did not secure proper consent from learners or their guardians to share their results publicly. Non-compliance with the POPI Act can result in hefty penalties.
In response, the DBE challenged the notice at the North Gauteng High Court on 13 December 2024. The department argued that the POPI Act only allows enforcement notices for past violations, not to pre-empt future actions. The DBE also maintained that publishing exam numbers does not disclose identifiable personal information.
Additionally, the DBE pointed to permissible exceptions in the POPI Act that allow for the processing of personal information to meet legal or contractual obligations.
The court ruled in favour of the DBE, suspending the enforcement notice and granting permission for the publication of results in newspapers.
New Matric Exams Results Release Date
Minister Siviwe Gwarube confirmed that the final results will be announced on 13 January 2025, with provincial education departments releasing results to candidates on 14 January 2025.
Initially, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) stated that matric exam results would be released on Thursday, 15 January, with candidates receiving their results on 16 January. However, the results will now be released a few days earlier.
While the DBE has not yet provided a reason for the change in the release date of matric exam results, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) explained that the adjustment is to accommodate the first day of the 2025 school year.
