Will 2024 Matric Results Be Published in Newspapers?

Advertisement

The longstanding tradition of publishing Matric results in newspapers has come under scrutiny again, as concerns about privacy clash with the public's demand for transparency.


Advertisement

 


The Information Regulator has called on the Department of Basic Education to halt the practice, citing potential violations of privacy laws. However, Minister Siviwe Gwarube remains confident that the publication method does not breach anyone's privacy.

A Decades-Old Practice

For years, Matric final exam results have been published in newspapers, allowing learners to quickly check whether they have passed without needing to visit their schools. While detailed subject marks have always required a school visit, the newspaper listings offered immediate insight into whether students could proceed to higher education or employment opportunities.

The Privacy Dilemma

The first privacy concerns surfaced a few years ago, when it was noted that omitting a learner's name from the published results list effectively signaled their failure to anyone reading the newspaper. To address this, the format was changed to include only learners' unique examination numbers instead of their names.

The issue has resurfaced, however, with the Information Regulator—a body tasked with overseeing the lawful handling of personal information under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). The Regulator recently declared that publishing results, even with exam numbers, may be unlawful since learners had not explicitly consented to this in advance. A notice was issued last week, highlighting what the Regulator called non-compliance with POPIA.

Minister Gwarube Defends the Practice

Despite the Regulator's objections, Minister Gwarube has stated that the department intends to proceed with publishing results in newspapers this year. "The unique exam number is not information that any other member of the public would know, besides the candidate. So we do believe that it is a benefit to have these Matric results published in newspapers," the Minister explained.

Gwarube affirmed that the department would continue the practice unless a court orders them to stop.

Matric 2024: What to Expect

Approximately 700,000 candidates wrote the National Senior Certificate (NSC) Matric exams in 2024. This includes both full-time and part-time learners registered with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and those taking exams through the Independent Examinations Board (IEB).

In addition to defending the publication of results, Minister Gwarube announced that matric results will be available earlier than initially planned. The national and provincial pass rates will be revealed on the evening of Monday, January 13, 2025. Individual learners will be able to collect their results from schools the following morning.

As the debate over privacy versus tradition continues, it remains to be seen whether publishing Matric results in newspapers will remain a fixture of South Africa’s educational landscape.

Suggested Article:

ieb matric exams

The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) recently concluded the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. Thousands of learners across South Africa eagerly now await their matric results.

Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Google News


Recommended Reading: How To Use the MyUnisa Portal

 



Advertisement i




Advertisement m