A Pretoria court panel delayed its ruling after hearing arguments on Monday, Oct. 27, and Tuesday, Oct. 28, about public access to matriculation examination scores. The Information Regulator claims the Department of Basic Education is violating privacy laws by publishing student names alongside their results in newspapers and on websites. Judges will determine whether traditional disclosure methods conflict with the Protection of Personal Information Act.
The regulator issued an enforcement notice in November 2024 after receiving complaints about identity theft risks from public result lists. Department officials defend the practice as necessary for transparency and accountability within the education system. Judge Ronel Tolmay rejected an urgent application in January that would have blocked the release of the 2024 results, affecting more than 900,000 candidates.
The final decision could require secure alternatives such as direct school notifications or encrypted digital platforms. Information Regulator Chairperson Pansy Tlakula stated that the judgment will establish standards that protect student data while maintaining public oversight. The ruling may affect how officials handle the 2025 examination results scheduled for January 2026.
The regulator issued an enforcement notice in November 2024 after receiving complaints about identity theft risks from public result lists. Department officials defend the practice as necessary for transparency and accountability within the education system. Judge Ronel Tolmay rejected an urgent application in January that would have blocked the release of the 2024 results, affecting more than 900,000 candidates.
The final decision could require secure alternatives such as direct school notifications or encrypted digital platforms. Information Regulator Chairperson Pansy Tlakula stated that the judgment will establish standards that protect student data while maintaining public oversight. The ruling may affect how officials handle the 2025 examination results scheduled for January 2026.
