Johannesburg — With the 2025 matric exams currently underway, uncertainty looms over whether the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results will once again be published in newspapers and other media platforms in January 2026.
For now, the North Gauteng High Court has reserved judgment in the high-profile case between the Information Regulator (InfoReg) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE), which could redefine how learners and parents across South Africa access matric results.
👉 READ ALSO: Matric 2025 Exam Results Release Date Confirmed — Full Timeline Here
The legal tug-of-war
From 27 to 28 October 2025, the InfoReg and DBE presented their arguments before a full bench at the High Court in Pretoria.
This follows a dismissed urgent application in January, where InfoReg sought to block the DBE from releasing matric results to newspapers, citing violations of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
At the heart of the matter is whether publishing exam numbers — without names — still constitutes an unlawful use of learners’ personal data.
InfoReg chairperson Advocate Pansy Tlakula emphasized the importance of the case:
“It’s been a long nine-month wait, but we are glad these matters are now being aired in open court. The question of whether publishing matric results is consistent with POPIA must be cleared up so that learners’ rights are protected.”
Tradition vs. Privacy
For decades, the release of matric results in newspapers has marked a defining moment in South African culture — a proud, emotional rite of passage signaling the end of a 12-year school journey.
However, since POPIA came into full effect, the data privacy landscape has changed dramatically.
In 2022, the DBE controversially announced it would stop publishing results altogether, citing privacy concerns. That decision sparked public backlash, prompting AfriForum, Maroela Media, and 2021 matriculant Anlé Spies to challenge it in court.
The court ruled in favor of publishing — but with a caveat: only exam numbers, not names, could be released.
The ruling acknowledged South Africa’s digital divide — that not all learners have internet access, and many may no longer reside near their former schools.
👉 ALSO READ: How to Check 2024 Gauteng Matric Results Online — 5 Official Platforms
POPIA at the forefront
The Information Regulator, which enforces compliance with POPIA, maintains that publishing even anonymized exam numbers could breach privacy protections if not properly consented to.
The regulator previously issued an enforcement notice against the DBE in November 2024, arguing that its publication methods were “inconsistent” with the Act.
Under POPIA, any entity that exposes personal data without authorisation can face fines of up to R10 million or 10 years’ imprisonment.
In 2023, the regulator imposed a historic R5 million fine on the Department of Justice for breaching the Act — a reminder that no government body is above data protection laws.
👉 Read more: Education Department Slapped with R5 Million Fine Over Matric Results Breach
Awaiting judgment
The High Court’s decision will likely be delivered before the release of the 2025 matric results, expected on 13 January 2026, following the official announcement of the national pass rate by the Minister of Basic Education on 12 January 2026.
Until then, the future of how results are made public — whether through newspapers, online portals, or via secure ID-based systems — hangs in the balance.
👉 Here’s how learners can prepare:
- How to Check Your 2024 Matric Results Using Your South African ID
- Top 10 Best Performing Private Schools and Students in South Africa
- Failed Matric? Here Are 4 Viable Options to Rewrite Your Future
What’s next for the Class of 2025?
As marking begins in December, the class of 2025 continues to write their final NSC exams amid uncertainty over how they’ll access their results.
Whether through a front-page newspaper listing or a digital ID portal, one thing is certain — South Africa is watching closely as the courts decide the fate of a tradition that has defined generations.
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