Should South Africa Continue Publishing Matric Results in Newspapers?

DR SIZILE MAKOLA|January 12, 2025

ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE: South Africa has a long-standing tradition of publishing matric results in newspapers. The writer says that while this tradition symbolizes transparency and accountability, it takes a psychological toll on learners. (Photo: UNISA)

South Africa has a long-standing tradition of publish matric results in newspapers. In early January every year, many parents and their children wait anxiously for the publishing of matric results. Questions should be asked about the continued relevance of this tradition, even though it once symbolized transparency and accountability.

We live in a time when mental health, privacy and equity are top priorities, as such, it might be both harmful and outdated to disseminate matric results publicly. One of the big concerns is the psychological toll this tradition takes on learners.

South Africa faces an alarming suicide rate among the youth. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reports that 9% of teenagers commit suicide. Often, not finding one’s name in the newspaper signifies failure to many students.

However, mistakes such as missing names or incorrect results can cause undue panic and distress for learners and their families. Even when these errors are later rectified, the initial harm may already be done, leaving emotional scars that persist long after the results are corrected. The shame linked with perceived failure can lead to depression, anxiety and, tragically, suicide.

ACCOLADES: A top learner receives accolades after her outstanding matric results. The writer says South Africa should reconsider the practice of publishing matric results in the newspapers because it causes the unfair judgement of pupils based on one test score, without looking at the different challenges they might have gone through, like financial issues or personal loss. (Photo: Limpopo Department of Education).

This alone should prompt us to reconsider this tradition. Another concern is that learners are judged unfairly based on one test score, without looking at the different challenges they might have gone through, like financial issues or personal loss. This practice also ignores the privacy of learners, many of whom are underage.

The Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act protects personal information and requires one to obtain consent before sharing other people’s information publicly. The disregard for learners’ privacy leads to serious ethical and legal issues that we should not disregard.

Results can be communicated more respectfully, privately and efficiently with today’s digital technology. For example, results are available via online portals, SMS and USSD and apps. These methods are progressive and safeguard learners’ dignity and mental health. Families are able to receive news without the anxiety that comes with all eyes being on them, allowing them to grieve or celebrate privately.

However, national statistics and pass rates can still be made public to maintain transparency, but individual results should remain confidential. Societies evolve and, accordingly, traditions must evolve in tandem.

WAITING ANXIOUSLY: Learners write their matric results before waiting anxiously for the results. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reports that 9% of teenagers commit suicide. The writer says that not finding one’s name in the newspaper often signifies failure to many students. (Photo: Department of Basic Education)

Publishing matric results in newspapers, while used in the past to show openness and responsibility, is now a practice causing harm to learners. It adds to mental health problems, breaks privacy, and goes against the values of a caring and fair society.

South Africa needs to change this tradition. The health of its young people should come first. By ending this harmful tradition, we will be taking a vital step toward protecting our youth and fostering a compassionate, forward-thinking society. It is an important step for a better and more welcoming education system.

Dr Sizile Makola is a senior lecturer in the College of Economic and Management Sciences at Unisa. She writes in her personal capacity.