Claim that Popia is being used to hide poor results

THE Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) move to abolish the publication of matric results on public media platforms, in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), set tongues wagging this week.

Pupils who have excelled feel robbed of their bragging rights while, some parents and education officials welcomed the adherence to privacy laws. Education activists have warned that the department could be using the Popia as an excuse to avoid shedding light on the true state of the country’s basic education.

Elijah Mhlanga, DBE spokesperson, said in compliance with the act that came into effect on July 1 last year, it would not be business as usual come January 21, the release date of matric results.

“As was also the practice in previous years, all learners will be required to obtain their statement of results from the schools they attended. In this way, every learner’s personal information, with regards to their performance in the national senior certificate exam, will be protected.”

Attorney Philile Dumakude said the Education Department is well within its rights not to publicise results. However, part and parcel of that privacy is that pupils who are 18 years-old can make their own decision as to whether they want their results publicised or not.

“Because matriculants were never previously given that option, it was easy for Umalusi, which sets and monitors standards for general and further education in SA, to do away with publishing.”

“This would also be a challenge for the department in that they are dealing with minors, and as per the law, they need their parent or guardian to also be a part of this decision-making process .”

Hendrick Makaneta, an education activist, warned that the department could use the act to conceal vital information.

“We have no choice but to comply with the act. We must be able to protect personal information but at the same time someone must be held to account for the state of our education,” he said. “South Africans need to know how the Department of Basic Education is performing. Are things getting better or getting worse?”

Equal Education Researchers Elizabeth Biney and Stacey Jacobs said their organisation welcomed the decision as it did not hinder or limit pupils’ access to their results.

Biney said the assertion made by activists that the decision to no longer publish matric results on public platforms was taken to protect schools that have been producing low pass rates was unwarranted, considering that the decision was not made independently by the DBE.

“The DBE indicated that they had consulted and followed the advice of the Information Regulator, which is tasked with monitoring and enforcing Popia,” she said.

“In any case, the results of every school in the country, for every subject, are published by the DBE in its matric exam reports, which are published on its website. It is common knowledge that many public schools do not have the resources and support that they need to make quality teaching and learning possible and, at many schools, learners and teachers are expected to achieve excellence against the odds.

“Naming and shaming poorly performing schools, without an understanding of their context and needs, can have very serious consequences such as schools pushing out learners who are at risk of failing matric, or pushing learners to take subjects that are considered easier to pass.”

The Information Regulator’s Nomzamo Zondi said they met with DBE on January 12 to discuss the DBE’S approach to process personal information with regards to matric results in compliance with Popia and the conditions that must be adhered to.

“It is the view of the regulator that DBE has a duty to ensure that matriculants receive their results and that they can access the results in an appropriate manner..”