Court rules matric exam results MAY be published

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AfriForum has welcomed the fact that the urgent application of the Information Regulator (IR) to obtain an interdict against the publication of the 2024 matric exam results was unsuccessful.�

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The IR was also ordered to pay AfriForum’s legal costs for this case.�

The case was heard in the Pretoria High Court on Monday and Judge Ronèl Tolmay on Tuesday ruled in favour of the publication of the results.�

AfriForum and several other groups were added as interested parties to the IR’s case against the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

The IR argued that the publication of the matric results in public media would be a violation of the matriculants’ right to privacy.

On the contrary, the judge ruled that it is in the public interest and that the results should therefore be published on public platforms and in printed media.

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According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, AfriForum and other parties also succeeded in a case on the same issue in 2022.

An order was then issued that the results had to be published.

The case where the merits of the withholding or publication of the results will be decided will follow later in the year, but for now the urgent application was necessary for clarity on whether the results may be published next week or not.

“The ruling is a victory for the matriculants for whom the publication of their results in this way is of great importance. It is also part of the larger conversation that is essential to gain more clarity about the distinction between the right to privacy and the public interest,” Bailey said after the case.

Highly anticipated

The release of the 2024 matric results is now less than a week away.

It’s a highly anticipated occasion for South African students as it marks the conclusion – hopefully – of their high school journey.

It’s also an important milestone that students, parents, and teachers eagerly await, as the results play a key role in deciding future education and career paths.

The results will influence future education and career choices, opening doors to new opportunities and help students plan their next steps with confidence.

As the Department of Basic Education (DBE) gets ready to announce the 2024 results, everyone involved is looking forward to the outcome – with fingers crossed.

Release date

The DBE has announced that the matric result release date is Monday, 13 January 2025.

This decision aligns with the start of the 2025 academic year, scheduled for Wednesday, 15 January 2025.

Here’s a detailed timeline:

Monday, 13 January 2025: The Department of Basic Education will announce the results nationally
Tuesday, 14 January 2025: Individual matric results will be available at schools and online via official DBE platforms

NOTE: The time the results will be available may differ from province to province as well as online vs at schools.

Step-by-step guide to getting your matric results on your PHONE

Why queue when you can get your results from the comfort of your home – or your holiday destination?

Get your exam number and cellphone

You need your exam number to gain access to your matric results.

SMS or use the USSD code

Register by SMSing your exam number to 35658, after which you will receive reminders and USSD instructions to follow to gain access to your results on Tuesday, 14 January.

*SMSes are charged at R1.50 each. Free SMSes do not apply.

Alternatively, dial the USSD code *120*35658#.

You will then receive further instructions to gain access to your results on Tuesday, 14 January.�

*USSD charged at 50c per 20 seconds. Free minutes do not apply.

If you require further assistance, call 0800 202 933 for help.

NOTE: You may submit your exam number via one cellphone number only to receive your results via this service, as per the Department of Education’s guidelines.

This service applies only to the Department of Education’s National Senior Certificate examinations and not to Independent Examinations Board exams.

ALSO NOTE: Those who submit their personal information via the delivery methods mentioned above give consent for their personal information to be processed to communicate their examination results. Any person who communicates personal information as per these clauses guarantees that they are legally authorised to do so.

The Department of Basic Education reiterates the following:

These results are preliminary and, therefore, in the case of omissions, candidates must contact the school, district or provincial education department.

Bursaries are available from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for any course of study. Contact NSFAS on 08600 NSFAS (08600 67327), email info@nsfas.org.za or visit www.nsfas.org.za

Although every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the results, note that candidates’ results may have been omitted or inaccurately printed due to technical reasons.