ATC200303: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education concerning the South African Human Rights Commission Report on the Investigative Hearing into the Status of Mental Health Care in South Africa, referred to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education by the Speaker of the National Assembly for consideration. dated 3 March 2020.

Basic Education

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education concerning the South African Human Rights Commission Report on the Investigative Hearing into the Status of Mental Health Care in South Africa, referred to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education by the Speaker of the National Assembly for consideration. dated 3 March 2020.
 

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, having considered the South African Human Rights Commission Report on the South African Human Rights Commission Report on the Investigative Hearing into the Status of Mental Health Care in South Africa, referred to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education by the Speaker of the National Assembly for consideration, reports as follows:

 

On Tuesday, 18 February 2020, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education convened a meeting to consider the South African Human Rights Commission Report on the South African Human Rights Commission Report on the Investigative Hearing into the Status of Mental Health Care in South Africa. The Portfolio Committee initiated and called the meeting to receive a briefing and engage on the SAHRC Report by the following stakeholders:

• Representative of the South African Human Rights Commission; and
• Department of Basic Education (DBE).

 

 

1. Presentation by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on the Report of the SA Human Rights Commission on the South African Human Rights Commission Report on the Investigative Hearing into the Status of Mental Health Care in South Africa – Mr E J Ngcobo

Mr Ngcobo in his opening remarks outlined the recommendations of the South African Human Rights Commission in respect of the Report on the State of Mental Health in South Africa. The Department, in conjunction with the National Department of Health (NDoH) was looking to formulate the following:

 

• A plan for introducing stigma reduction programming in schools and increasing access to health services (including counselling) through formal referral pathways accessible to educators.
• A plan for introducing consistent mental health awareness raising efforts aimed at educators. The plan should indicate how educators will provide accurate information about mental health conditions; promote mental health; assist learners to identify mental health conditions and obtain the necessary assistance; and assist learners to build skills that promote mental health and prevent suicide.
• Develop a report detailing progress in achieving the National Strategy on Learner Attainment’s (NSLA’s) goal of provision of supports for learners with disabilities.
• In consultation with the NDOH and the Department of Social Development (DSD), commence a study on the implementation of the Integrated Schools Health Programme (ISHP) mental health programming, paying specific attention to the advancement of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and barriers to implementation.
• Advise the Commission on the progress of the Draft Policy for the Provision of Quality Education and Support to Children with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability.

The Department gave a detailed and comprehensive outline of the processing of the above recommendations. All implicated government departments would for the work to be done. The draft policy on Education for Children with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability was tabled at the on . The purpose of this policy was to provide for children with severe to profound intellectual disability.

 

In conclusion, the Department stated that the basic education sector believed that , and , and was thus committed to building an inclusive education and training system, which would ensure that . in this regard, although , given the size of the backlog. This was to be expected though, given the fact that the realisation of human rights was a complex endeavour that .

 

Report to be considered.