Private Company Edumarks Claims to Offer Early Access to Matric Results in South Africa Sparking Concerns About Data Security

A recent claim by a private company, Edumarks, has raised significant concerns among education activists.

The company posted on social media that matriculants could access their exam results ahead of the official release by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

The announcement has led to questions about the security of the DBE’s systems and the potential for breaches of data security.

Edumarks’ Social Media Post Sparks Debate

On 11 January 2025, Edumarks shared a post on social media declaring that matriculants could already receive their exam results, stating, “Results are now available” and “We have your results and we are already sending them out.”

This bold claim was accompanied by a call to action, but interestingly, their website noted a fee of R99.90 for obtaining the results.

While the website doesn’t highlight this fee clearly, it does indicate that only National Senior Certificate (NSC) learners are eligible to receive results from Edumarks, excluding those from the Independent Examination Board (IEB).

Contradictions in Edumarks’ Statements on Trustpilot

The company’s claims have been met with conflicting responses on Trustpilot, a review platform.

Some matriculants shared experiences of paying for results and not receiving them, while others reported actually receiving their marks.

In one instance, Edumarks responded to a complaint stating that results couldn’t be released until the DBE officially made them available.

This response contradicted their earlier social media posts, further raising doubts about the legitimacy of their services.

Education Activist Raises Concerns Over Potential Security Breach

Hendrick Makaneta, an education activist, has voiced serious concerns about the situation, suggesting that if Edumarks indeed has access to matric results before the official release, it could signify a breach of the DBE’s data security systems.

Makaneta stated that such a breach would not only compromise learner privacy but could also imply unethical practices or even potential collaboration between individuals within the DBE and private entities for financial gain.

He emphasized the importance of confidentiality and trust in the education system, warning that selling results, whether legal or not, could undermine the public’s confidence in the DBE’s ability to secure sensitive data.

Public Opinion on Paying for Early Access to Results

The incident has raised an important question for matriculants and their families: Would you pay to access your results earlier if given the option? While some may be tempted by the offer, others are concerned about the implications for privacy and fairness.

The DBE has yet to provide a clear response, and many are awaiting clarification on whether the company’s claims are legitimate.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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