Question NW2156 to the Minister of Basic Education
10 December 2024 - NW2156
Gasa, Ms NM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Given that reports of incidences of conflict and tension emanating from racial intolerance continue to be reported in schools in the Republic, often resulting in public outcry and condemnation, and noting that corrective and remedial actions in such cases seem not to have any meaningful impact nor positive consequence regarding the specified problem, what is the detailed breakdown of the (a) budget, (b) specific actions and (c) timelines set to address the root causes of racial conflict and tension in schools; (2) how will her department ensure that anti-discrimination training is integrated as a fundamental, measurable component within the school system, rather than just a reactionary measure to individual incidents?
Reply:
1. (a) Within the Basic Education Budget Vote, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has allocated approximately R3 million to support Building Social Cohesion in Schools and Communities. These funds are utilised to implement the National Schools Moot Court Programme, which promotes constitutional literacy within the framework of human rights education. The budget also supports school and community initiatives aimed at addressing racism, sexism, hate speech, gender-based violence and other forms of intolerance, alongside tackling inter-generational violence and trauma in society.
(b) The DBE has prepared technical guidance to assist schools in the prevention and management of discriminatory incidents. This guidance has undergone consultation with key education stakeholders to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in strengthening school management and governance structures. The draft guidance will be presented to the Council of Education Ministers in 2025 for review and potential approval.
(c) Collaborative efforts are ongoing with partners, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), to engage school communities and stakeholders on issues related to racism, hate speech, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance. A notable milestone was the Dialogue on Racism in Schools, co-hosted with the SAHRC, in Cape Town on 21 October 2024. Building on this momentum, further engagements are planned for March 2025 during Human Rights Month, bringing together Provincial Education Departments, social partners, and governance structures to drive meaningful and lasting change in addressing these critical issues.
2. To strengthen inclusivity in the education system, the DBE has partnered with the British Council to implement the Teaching for All (T4A) programme. This initiative provides educators with training in inclusive education practices and equips them to effectively manage diverse classrooms. The programme has been adopted by 15 universities for pre-service teacher training. Moreover, an accredited Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) course has been developed for in-service teachers, ensuring that educators at all levels are supported in fostering inclusivity and diversity in schools.