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Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on the department of basic education to clarify its position regarding the sale of matric results by a private entity.
The request comes in the back of the discovery of a website where students can access their National Senior Certificate full results with percentage for R100.
Both the education minister Siviwe Gwarube and her deputy Dr Reginah Mhaule are expected to officially announce the results of the class of 2024 on Monday evening.
On 8 January, the Pretoria high court struck the Information Regulator’s urgent application to interdict the publication of the results in newspapers off the roll.
Judge Ronel Tolmay ruled that the Regulator failed to substantiate the urgency of its request.
Following the verdict, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube told SABC News that the DBE intends to proceed with releasing the 2024 matric results on 14 February.
According to reports that have been doing the rounds on social media, many students were able to get their results via email – days before the official release.
“We are deeply troubled by reports that Edumarks, a private company, is allegedly selling matric results even before the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has officially released them.
“This raises serious questions about how Edumarks gained access to such sensitive information, whether the results being sold are authentic, and whether the DBE’s systems have been compromised.
“The situation is a cause for great concern. If true, this suggests a potential breach of data security and a violation of learners’ right to privacy.
“It also raises suspicions of unethical conduct and possible collusion between individuals within the DBE and private entities for financial gain,” Makaneta said.
He called on both Edumarks and the department to immediately clarify the situation.
The sale of matric results
“How did Edumarks obtain these results – was access authorized, or has there been an unauthorized breach of the DBE’s systems,” Makaneta asked.
He continued; “If no authorization was given, urgent steps must be taken to protect the integrity of the examination process and hold those responsible to account.
“Learners and their families deserve to trust that their personal information is handled with the utmost confidentiality. The sale of results, whether legitimate or not, undermines public confidence in the education system and casts doubt on the DBE’s ability to secure its systems.”
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Makaneta stated that in light of these developments, they urge the DBE to conduct an internal investigation and call on the Special Investigating Unit to intervene to ensure transparency and accountability.
“This matter must be resolved swiftly to protect the credibility of the matric examination process and to reassure South Africans that the education system remains secure and free from unethical practices,” he remarked.
