The FF Plus welcomes AfriForum's victory with its successful application and the ruling by the court allowing the publication of matric examination results in newspapers.
Although personalised mass-communication does make it easier to send their results directly to candidates, there is still a great need for publishing the said results as well.
In addition to the fact that it is significant for matriculants, their families and friends to see their examination numbers and results published in the newspaper, it also provides a good reflection of the schools, districts and provinces that worked hard to help their learners achieve success.
The pass rate, and specifically the level at which learners pass, is usually considered a good indication of the quality of schooling.
For every positive emotion regarding matric results, there is also a negative counterpart, though. Thus, publishing matric results could also be a source of embarrassment for learners who failed as well as for the schools, districts and provinces that did not fare well.
It raises the question of whether that was the real reason behind the decision not to publish the results and that the POPI Act was merely held up as an excuse.
If caution concerning the violation of matriculants' right to privacy by publishing their results was indeed the issue, it was a positive move to first obtain legal certainty.
Meanwhile, the quality-control council for basic education, Umalusi, has approved the 2021 results.
Umalusi's emphasis on the problems stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdowns may suggest that the results are not as good as before. Clarity will, however, only be obtained once the results have been released.
What is already known is that the Department of Basic Education made downward adjustments to the results of 28 subjects, while the results of four other subjects were adjusted upwards. There were reportedly also problems relating to groups of candidates who submitted identical question papers.
Confidence in the quality of the matric certificate is fundamental to the post-school educational sector in South Africa. Thus, it is vital that Umalusi keeps its word and ensures that the gaps in the system are addressed.
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