Question NW4222 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
21 November 2022 - NW4222
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) With reference to the reply to question 3781 on 2 November 2022, what are the (a) requirements and/or (b) directives that came with the funding of the Socio-Educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities, Expression and Sex Characteristics programme; (2) whether her department applied for the specified programme; if not, was it simply offered to them; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether her department was given a mandate to be involved in such a programme; if not, what (a) is the position in this regard and (b) are the reasons that her department felt it was important to be involved in the programme; if so, by whom?
Reply:
(1) (a) the requirements for the UNESCO funding Socio-Educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities, Expression and Sex Characteristics programme were seeking services of a consultant to help the Department of Basic Education (DBE) draft guidelines for schools.
(b) there were no particular directives that came with the funding.
(2) The programme supports the realisation of Pillar 10 (a Rights-based Socially Cohesive and Inclusive School Environment) in the operational framework of the DBE on Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL). The intention is to ensure social justice and inclusion of previously marginalised minorities.
(3) The DBE is mandated by the Constitution to carry out this work. It is important for the education sector to be deliberate and intentional in addressing discrimination, prejudice and related intolerances that seem to prevent children from realising their inalienable right to education and undermine the constitutional gains of a democratic South Africa.