Johannesburg – The Department of Basic Education insists that the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Matric examination results will be published in newspapers as has been the tradition all along.
The department said the Matric results will be made available to accredited newspapers for publication on 13 January 2026 in the same pseudonymised format used in recent years – namely, examination numbers and results only, with no names, surnames, or ID numbers.
“In line with our commitment to the rule of law, the Department of Basic Education is of the view that it is legally obliged to publish the results in this pseudonymised format, as the court order granted on 18 January 2022 expressly requires this approach,” the department said on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
“This order remains in force.”’
However, the Information Regulator is of a different view.
Last week, the Information Regulator moved to prevent the department from publishing the results in newspapers by applying to appeal against the court ruling that gave the go-ahead.
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Today, the department insists that the publication of NSC results in accredited newspapers has long been an important and accessible method for learners and parents to obtain results timeously.
“We will continue to follow the established, court-endorsed practice of publishing the results without identifying learners in a manner that balances accessibility with the protection of personal information,” the department said.
“The department further confirms that it will oppose the application for leave to appeal by the Information Regulator.
“This opposition is pursued in the best interests of learners, their families, and the education sector.’
The department said it remains firmly of the view that the Information Regulators’ application has no reasonable prospects of success, given the clarity already provided by the courts.
At the same time, the department emphasises that it holds the highest respect for the Office of the Information Regulator and its constitutional mandate.
The department said its opposition to the application for leave to appeal should not be interpreted as a lack of respect for the Information Regulator.
On the contrary, the department said it values the regulator’s role and looks forward to continued and constructive engagement.
The department said it remains committed to legal compliance, learner protection, transparency, and accessibility, while ensuring that the rights and dignity of every learner are respected.
