On Wednesday (7/1), the department confirmed the publication of results despite a case by the Information Regulator, which argued the traditional practice may violate the Popi Act. Minister Siviwe Gwarube will announce the outcome of the 2025 NSC examinations on Monday (12/1).

The results will be published on Tuesday, using examination numbers only, without names, surnames, or ID numbers.

In December, the high court in Pretoria ruled matric results may be published on public platforms. Three judges ruled the results may be published, but this had to be done by using the candidate’s exam number.

“In line with our commitment to the rule of law, the department is of the view it is legally obliged to publish the results in this pseudonymised format,” said basic education spokesperson Terrence Khala. “The publication of NSC results in accredited newspapers has long been an important and accessible method for learners and parents to obtain results timeously.”

The department said it 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, he said. The department was prohibited from releasing the 2024 matric results in newspapers by an enforcement notice issued by the Information Regulator in 2024.

Good morning Mzantsi! ????

In just 6 days - on the 12th of January at 18:00, we will be announcing the results of the National Senior Certificate Exams for the class of 2025.

Additionally, we will award the top achieving learners across the provinces. These are learners who have… pic.twitter.com/1ePvqyB2ua

— Siviwe Gwarube (@Siviwe_G) January 6, 2026

Instead, it stated the department should make the results accessible through ways compatible with the Popi Act, such as students getting their results from their schools or through a secure SMS platform from the department. 

The department said it would oppose the application for leave to appeal by the regulator. “This opposition is pursued in the best interests of learners, their families, and the education sector.”

IOL reports AfriForum, one of the respondents in the legal battle against the regulator, earlier this week said it would seriously consider turning to court for an urgent order if the results are not to be published in newspapers.  Candidates will be able to access their results from 06:00 on Tuesday, either at the schools or centres where they wrote their examinations, or online via the official results platform.

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