Question NW2765 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
25 November 2020 - NW2765
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What interventions is she empowered to make in cases where schools blatantly exclude pupils on the basis of race from partaking in school activities; (2) whether she will meet with the leadership of Brackenfell High School regarding the alleged exclusion on the basis of race of learners in the school’s farewell event; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Department of Basic Education (DBE), in terms of the South African Schools Act, compels schools to develop School Codes of Conduct and policies on extramural activities, co-curricular activities, cultural events and excursion, based on the founding principles and values of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Part of the values and principles pertain to non-discrimination, non-sexism, non-racism and non-prejudice. Through the Education Management, Development and Governance (EMDG), all School Governing Bodies are inducted and capacitated on how to develop, implement and monitor school codes of conduct and other mandated school policies, so that when unintended instances of racial discrimination are identified, and solutions sought. Already, within the current review of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2019 - 2024 on Social Cohesion and Nation Building that is in process, the DBE has included an indicator on surveying and monitoring the compliance of school codes of conduct and other mandatory policies for SGBs.
2. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is dealing with the matter of Brackenfell High School.