Question NW2181 to the Minister of Basic Education
18 July 2018 - NW2181
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) has she found to be the hindrance for the SA Council for Educators (SACE) with regard to access to and use of the National Register for Sex Offenders to vet teachers and (b) steps has her department taken to ensure that SACE is given access to the specified register and utilises it to vet teachers?
Reply:
SACE RESPONSE:
a) SACE can access the National Register for Sexual Offenders directly. However, the register is not usable currently as it stands.
b) In order to have the seamless processes between the employer organisations (9 Provincial Education Departments, School Governing Bodies, and Independent Schools) and SACE a professional Council in terms of section 46 and 47 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) as amended the Director-General in the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has facilitated a process of engagements between SACE, DBE and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD).
Subsequently, a Deputy Director-General in the (DoJ&CD) has been assigned a responsibility to work collaboratively with SACE and the DBE in facilitating the process of screening the registration applicants against the National Register on Sexual Offenses once it is usable.