Question NW4221 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
23 November 2022 - NW4221
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether, with reference to the reply to question 3782 on 2 November 2022, she will furnish Dr W J Boshoff with the names of all the like-minded civil society organisations and interest groups that are part and have formed the Social Inclusion in Education Working Group since its establishment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details (2) (a) how were the groups brought together and (b) were they brought together by her department; (3) whether there is a possibility that civil society organisations representing family values can form a working group with her department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, will she and her department support such organisations and consider their counsel?
Reply:
(1) The list of the like-minded civil society and interest groups that are part of the Social Inclusion in Education Working Group is enclosed.
(2) (a) Although the intention of the working group is to address all social inclusion matters, when it was established, it sought to address in the meantime the burning issue of socio-educational inclusion of diverse sexual orientation, gender identitiy, expression and sex characteristics. Due to limited capacity internally at the Department of Basic Education (DBE), it was important to reach out to civil society organisations that work daily at the coalface of similar issues at school and community level, to ensure an efficient, effective, relevant and appropriate education sector response. Establishing a working group is recommended to maintain stakeholder relations.
(b) Yes
(3) The DBE has previously attempted to incorporate civil society organisations representing family values in the working group. However, this approach to group composition proved to be a challenge due to extreme differences in opinion. As such, the DBE has opted to openly engage with civil society organisations representing family values separately, as their voice is valuable and essential in addressing discrimination and oppression of children from a family values perspective. These engagements have already begun.