Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
08 January 2025 | 16:57 CAT

Gauteng High Court rules in favor of publishing matric results in newspapers, ensuring accessibility for all learners. (Morapedi Mashashe/Daily Sun)

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is set to publish the 2024 matric results in South Africa’s newspapers following a Gauteng High Court ruling. The court dismissed an attempt by the Information Regulator (IR) to block the publication, ordering the regulator to cover legal costs.

Traditionally, matric results have been made accessible in newspapers, with marks listed alongside student exam numbers. This practice faced scrutiny due to concerns raised by the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). However, the Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of the DBE, ensuring that learners and families without reliable internet access can continue using this alternative to obtain results.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for the DBE, confirmed the department’s commitment to its mandate. “Our primary responsibility is to ensure learners collect their results from the schools where they wrote their exams,” he said. “The publication in newspapers remains a complementary service, especially for those in remote areas.”

Mhlanga also highlighted ongoing measures to protect learners’ privacy. The system ensures that no personal identifiers beyond exam numbers are disclosed.

The ruling comes after months of uncertainty and debate between the DBE and the IR, whose objections were about privacy concerns. The court’s decision now establishes a precedent for balancing accessibility with compliance under POPIA.

Meanwhile, attention shifts to the resilience of the class of 2024. These learners began their high school journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating disruptions that posed significant challenges. Mhlanga credited the department’s recovery program for supporting learners and expressed optimism about their performance before the official announcement.

For those dissatisfied with their results, the DBE continues offering options such as rechecks, remarks, or rewrites, which can be applied through schools or district offices. “The system is in place to address grievances effectively,” Mhlanga assured.

As the results are released, schools nationwide prepare for reopening. Recent cases of children consuming contaminated street food have prompted the DBE to reinforce safety campaigns. “Parents need to educate children about the dangers of unsafe food,” Mhlanga advised, adding that school stakeholders will be engaged to address the issue further.

This latest development reinforces the importance of balancing privacy and accessibility in modern education while also celebrating the achievements of South Africa’s learners.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat and Elijah Mahlanga here.