GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General
08 January 2025
The GOOD Party notes the court order that allows for the publication of Matric Results as previously done by the Department of Basic Education over the past 3 years.
In the judgment, the Judge noted ‘The parties will be well advised to determine what is ultimately in the best interest of the learners. After all, it is their rights we are dealing with.’
There is a duty on both the Information Regulator and the Department of Basic Education to work together in the future to find a method of publication which is in the best interests of the learners who wrote their matric exams.
Historically, the publication of the matric results with full names was a milestone that marked the end of a basic schooling journey. Learners and families pored over the pages of newspapers to check for their names. That excitement is something that was obviously enjoyed only by those whose name was published. If it was not published it meant you were not successful.
As our understanding of adolescent mental health issues, trauma and the right to privacy have evolved, so too has our understanding of the impact of not succeeding and having your family and peers finding out by the omission of your name in the publication.
The rite of passage versus the right to privacy is what we are grappling with.
We can’t dismiss the trauma that can be inflicted when we ignore the right to privacy.
Given that the results are now published by exam number only the rite of passage is no longer as relevant and the balance of common sense must weigh in favour of protecting privacy.
There is little joy in seeing random numbers published without names and surnames as the High Court ordered the DBE to do from 2022.
The DBE should work on a system for notifying each learner directly, as suggested by the IR, for future exams.
We say to parents and learners that the matric results are a significant milestone. Bear some thought for those for whom the outcome is disappointing and traumatizing.
For those who get to celebrate enjoy the success and the milestone. Appreciate the educators and community that helped you achieve this.
To those who are disappointed, we urge you to regard the results as a small set-back in all of our lifetimes. Take the exams again and once you have succeeded the small setback will diminish to nothing over time.
In the meantime, let’s all acknowledge that times have changed. News is increasingly less frequently published in printed newspapers and rights to privacy have evolved. In the end, it is surely better to protect and respect the privacy of our peers.
Media enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General
Cell: 082 5183264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 083 5509875
Email: samantha@forgood.org.za