INFORMATION REGULATOR FORBIDS PUBLICATION OF MATRIC RESULTS

The Department of Basic Education has been issued an enforcement notice not to publish the 2024 NSC results in the media.

The instruction comes from the Information Regulator (IR) and is based on the Protection of Personal Information Act which prohibits the publication of personal information without a person’s consent.

If the person is a minor, the person’s legal guardian or parents have to give permission.

The IR said the results shouldn’t be published in newspapers but rather be made available to pupils using methods compliant with the Act.

Since the announcement has been made, AfriForum has instructed its legal team to start working on a case so that this year’s matric results are published on media platforms.

The NSC results have always been published on media platforms.

The Sowetan reports that AfriForum said it was determined to do everything in its power to ensure that this year’s matriculants would also be able to get their results on media platforms as had been the custom in the past.

AfriForum said: “To label it as a violation of individuals’ right to privacy does not make sense, as only examination numbers appear in the media.”

Image credit: The South African