PRETORIA — The wait for nearly 900,000 Grade 12 learners is nearly over. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has officially confirmed that the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results will be published in accredited newspapers on Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
This follows the official national announcement of the pass rate by Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and Deputy Minister Dr. Reginah Mhaule on the evening of Monday, 12 January.
The Privacy Debate: Pseudonymized Publication
Despite an ongoing legal battle with the Information Regulator, the DBE confirmed that results will be presented in a pseudonymized format. This means the lists will contain only examination numbers and results—no names, surnames, or ID numbers will be visible.
The department maintains that this approach strikes a critical balance between public accessibility and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
“In line with our commitment to the rule of law, the department is of the view that it is legally obliged to publish the results in this pseudonymised format, as the court order granted on 18 January 2022 expressly requires this approach,” the DBE stated.
Defying the Regulator
The announcement comes as the DBE prepares to oppose an application for leave to appeal from the Information Regulator. In 2024, the Regulator issued an enforcement notice to stop newspaper publications, suggesting results only be shared via secure SMS or at schools. However, a December 2025 High Court ruling sided with the DBE, allowing newspaper publication to continue.
The DBE stated that its opposition to the Regulator is in the “best interests of learners and families” to ensure everyone can access their results timeously, especially in areas with limited digital access.
Key Dates for the Class of 2025:
- Jan 12: Official Ministerial results announcement.
- Jan 13 (06:00 AM): Individual results available at schools and on the DBE website.
- Jan 13: Results published in accredited newspapers (via Exam Number).
- Jan 13 – Jan 27: Applications open for re-marking and re-checking.
- Feb 20: Deadline to report any name or ID errors on statements of results.
