2021 matric results to be published in media

The 2021 matric results could be published in media platforms upon their release later this week, the North Gauteng High Court ruled on Tuesday morning.

This after the court heard an urgent application by civil rights organisation AfriForum challenging the Department of Basic Education’s recent decision to not publish the 2021 matric results in the media.

“It is in the public interest that this information is shared on public platforms and that is one of the reasons why we brought this application.

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“We are delighted that the court agreed with us in this argument,” AfriForum’s education rights manager Natasha Venter said.

At the weekend, the basic education department said it would abide by the decision the court made after hearing the urgent application.

“In view of the latest developments with regards to the release of the 2021 matric results and the impending litigation, the department has decided that it will abide by the decision of the court,” the department said.

The department cited complying with the Protection of Persona Information Act (Popia) and the constitutional right to privacy and acting in the best interest of the learner as some of its reasons for deciding against the publication of the matric results.

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In the same statement, the department also urged those who are awaiting their results to register on its website to access their results when they became available later this week.

Previously, Venter said the department could not “hide” behind the Popia legislation to justify its decision.

“Only the examination numbers of the students are published on media platforms, in other words, no personal information or the identities of learners will be made public without their consent. In a democratic country, information must – within the ambit of the law – be freely available and this is a principle that the department should support,” she said.

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Venter also said the decision would water down the magnitude of the occasion.

At the time, the SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) also expressed disappointment at the department’s “unilateral and last minute decision”.

Sanef also said that while it supported the application and intention of Popia, the lack of consultation by the department would have negative financial implications for media companies.

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Meanwhile, the Information Regulator of SA said Popia legislation made room for such eventualities.

“Popia makes provision for such eventuality under the clear rules for safeguarding of the personal information, which is a cardinal principle,” spokesperson Nomzamo Zondi said.

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