-
FILE| Newspaper with the matric results.
The Information Regulator’s decision to escalate the matter of publishing matric results in newspapers to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has been welcomed in certain quarters.
Education Activist Hendrick Makaneta says this legal process is essential for providing regulatory certainty.
This comes after a Pretoria High Court ruling in mid-December that dismissed the Regulator’s bid to halt the publication of matric results in newspapers, calling its argument that exam numbers compromise privacy “fanciful”.
The Regulator then escalated the matter to the SCA to appeal the Gauteng High Court judgment.
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta says the appeal is a necessary step towards ensuring stronger protection for learners.
“The Information Regulator’s decision to ask the Supreme Court of Appeal for guidance on the publication of matric results should be respected. For many years, publishing results has helped families to get information quickly, especially where internet access is poor. At the same time, worries about privacy are real. Young people deserve dignity and care when their information is shared. Asking the courts to provide guidance is a responsible way to balance access and privacy under the law. We hope this process will be handled with calm voices and open minds,” adds Makaneta.
Related video| Legal battle over publication of results:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUh3aZCs8f4
