Economic Freedom Fighters
By Thabo Mosia
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has voiced strong opposition to the longstanding practice of publishing matric results on public and media platforms, supporting the Information Regulator’s legal challenge against the Department of Basic Education (DBE). In a statement released on Tuesday, 7 January 2025, EFF National Spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys emphasised the need to protect the privacy and dignity of matriculants, arguing that the public release of results has caused “irreparable harm” to underperforming students over the years.
The court case, set to be heard in the North Gauteng High Court today, comes after the Information Regulator (IR) issued an enforcement notice demanding that the DBE halt the public dissemination of matric results. The EFF has described this legal intervention as a necessary step to prevent ridicule and humiliation among learners whose results do not meet societal expectations.
EFF Stands Firm on Learner Privacy
“The release of matric results in newspapers and digital platforms is a practice that has long subjected learners to ridicule and undue stress. It enhances nothing but instead creates opportunities for public humiliation. For decades, this harmful tradition has led to increased rates of self-harm among young people who could not cope with poor results,” Mathys said.
The EFF criticised the DBE’s decision to appeal the IR’s enforcement notice, which temporarily allows the department to proceed with its current publication practices. Mathys reiterated that matriculants’ examination results are private and should not be turned into public information, adding that education must never become “a rat race of capitalist comparison.”
A Tradition Under Fire
The publication of matric results has been a deeply ingrained tradition in South Africa. Historically, newspapers have printed results using anonymised formats, such as examination numbers, to protect learners’ identities. However, the Information Regulator contends that this practice may violate the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which guarantees the constitutional right to privacy.
On 18 November 2024, the IR issued an enforcement notice to the DBE, warning that publishing matric results without obtaining prior consent from learners or their guardians constitutes a legal breach. This directive has sparked a polarising debate between those advocating for privacy and those prioritising public access and transparency.
AfriForum’s Push for Transparency
Civil rights organisation AfriForum has emerged as a vocal critic of the Information Regulator’s enforcement notice. Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, argued that the anonymised publication of results does not infringe on learners’ privacy and is essential for ensuring equitable access, particularly in underprivileged communities with limited digital connectivity.
“While matriculants have a right to privacy, they also deserve accessible results. The current anonymised system ensures transparency while protecting learners’ identities,” Bailey said. AfriForum has filed to join the DBE’s legal appeal, contending that halting the publication of results could create logistical challenges for schools and learners, especially in rural areas.
DBE Appeals R5 Million Fine
The DBE has maintained that its current methods of publishing matric results comply with legal and ethical standards. Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga emphasised that the system has been carefully designed to strike a balance between transparency and privacy. Mhlanga also criticised the R5 million fine imposed by the IR for non-compliance, calling it “unjustified.”
“Publishing results with examination numbers ensures that learners’ identities remain protected. This practice has stood the test of time and continues to serve the public interest,” Mhlanga said.
EFF’s Broader Advocacy
The EFF’s stance aligns with its broader advocacy for systemic reforms in education. The party has called for a greater focus on fostering a supportive learning environment, free from public scrutiny and competition. “Education should empower learners, not subject them to unnecessary public judgment. The focus should be on individual progress, not on public displays of achievement,” the EFF’s statement reads.
The party also urged the DBE to adopt alternative methods for distributing matric results, such as secure SMS systems or direct retrieval from schools, to protect learners’ privacy while ensuring accessibility.
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