South Africa’s Information Regulator has ordered the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to stop publishing matric results in newspapers, marking the end of a long-standing tradition.
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The decision, announced on November 4, 2024, comes after the regulator determined that publishing results without explicit consent violates the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
According to spokesperson Nomzamo Zondi, the practice of printing examination numbers and ID numbers in newspapers breaches Section 11 of POPIA, which requires informed consent for sharing personal data. The DBE must now develop a consent-based system before any future publications in media outlets.
While the decision aims to protect students’ privacy, it has faced opposition.
AfriForum plans to challenge the ruling in court, arguing that publishing results serves the public interest and doesn’t infringe on privacy rights when only examination numbers are used.
How to check your matric results
- Visit your school directly
- Use the DBE’s secure SMS platform
- Access results through the Department’s digital platforms
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