The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is moving forward with plans to release the 2024 matric exam results to the media, despite a recent setback involving the Information Regulator (IR), Cape {town} Etc reports.
The IR had initially prohibited the department from publishing the results, citing concerns about compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
This legal dispute stems from an enforcement notice issued on 4 November by the IR, which found that the department had violated POPIA by failing to obtain consent from matric candidates or their guardians before publishing the exam results. According to the IR, the publication of matric results without consent breaches the lawful processing of personal data.
In response, the department filed a legal challenge in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria last week, seeking to overturn the enforcement notice. As a result, the department has been granted a temporary reprieve, allowing it to continue with its traditional practice of publishing the exam results in the media.
Elijah Mhlanga, the department’s spokesperson, confirmed that the appeal has suspended the enforcement notice, meaning the results will be released to media outlets as usual. ‘Only exam numbers will be published, as per the established practice,’ Mhlanga explained.
The department argues that the release of results in this manner has been an integral part of South Africa’s matric tradition for many years, helping to generate excitement and anticipation. The public release, which often takes place while many learners are away on holiday or working, allows students to access their results even if they are not near their schools. Importantly, the department ensures that only the exam numbers of candidates are published—no personal details, including names or schools, are disclosed.
The DBE has also pushed back against the IR’s stance on POPIA compliance, arguing that the longstanding practice of publishing only exam numbers does not violate the law. Mhlanga further stated that the IR’s decision was legally flawed and should have been approached differently.
The department’s move to challenge the enforcement notice highlights the ongoing tension between privacy laws and long-established public practices.
As the legal battle continues, the DBE remains committed to ensuring the timely release of matric results, a key milestone for South African students.
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