Question NW2522 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
10 October 2022 - NW2522
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether her department is working on a gender-sensitivity policy document; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what timelines are involved and (b) will she furnish Mr W J Boshoff with the proposed policy document; (2) which organisations are involved with the drawing up of the proposed policy document; (3) (a) what are the (i) goals and (ii) mandate for the Social Cohesion and Equity in Education unit and (b) where will the funding for the specified unit be sourced from?
Reply:
(1) The Department is not working on a gender-sensitivity policy per se. The DBE is preparing to consult on a set of guidelines for Sexual Orientation Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics.
(2) The DBE has collaborated with the Social Inclusion in Education Working Group to address the human rights and needs of gender and sexual minorities in education.
(3)(a)(i)The goals of the Social Cohesion and Equity in Education unit are linked to the National Development Plan as follows: In 2030, South Africa will be a society where opportunity is not determined by race or birth right, and where citizens accept they have both rights and responsibilities. We will be a united, prosperous, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa. The Social Cohesion and Equity in Education unit translates this goal for the school setting.
(ii) The mandate of the Social Cohesion and Equity in Education unit is to lead the transformational agenda of the basic education sector, with a focus of how transformation manifests in schools.
(b) The work of the Social Cohesion and Equity in Education unit is mainly funded through the Basic Education Budget Vote. Supplementary funding sources are sometimes obtained through social partners, development agencies and international organisations to support the mandate.