National hearing on the impact of protest-related actions on the right to access a Basic Education in South Africa
Two years ago during protests in Malamulele in Limpopo, at least 5 schools were set alight. The Commission understands that those schools have still not been repaired. In October 2014, protests relating to access to water broke out in Zeerust, North West Province.
During these protests, children were barred from attending school. The protests took place close to the examination period and the barring of children from attending school jeopardised examination preparations by matriculants. The North West Province also experienced protests in June 2013, February 2015, and in June 2016 protests in Majakaneng village resulted in closure of schools. This trend is prevalent across almost all provinces in the country.
Recently, more than 50 000 learners were affected during demarcation protests that erupted in the Vuwani District in April 2016. In excess of twenty schools were burnt in the protest action that followed the Limpopo High Court ruling confirming the incorporation of Vuwani into the Malamulele district.
To date normal schooling has not resumed in full, raising serious concerns about this significant number of children who may not be able to write their examinations.
The Commission has, through its provincial offices, observed and monitored the ongoing protests in the country, some related to demarcation but most of them relating to service delivery. Protests have become a mechanism for communities to raise their discontent about their concerns for lack of delivery of services by government.
Although these protests are an exercise of the right to protest, the central issue that concerns the Commission is whether State responses during periods of civil conflict are adequate to protect and secure the rights of children to access education.
For this reason the South African Human Rights Commission will convene a national three-day hearing on “The Impact of Protest-Related Actions on the Right to Access a Basic Education in South Africa” from the 13th - 15th June 2016.
This hearing brings together key stakeholders from the Department of Education, COGTA, SAPS, school principals, community leaders and civil society to assist the Commission to identify policy, regulations, and programmatic interventions to secure children’s education during periods of conflict.
The Hearings intend to highlight and explore the impact of protest on education and to consider ways of protecting the right to basic education in situations of this nature.
Media is invited to attend the press briefing and the proceedings of the hearing (T&C’s apply)
Date: 13 – 15th June 2016 (3 day hearing)
Press briefing: 13th June 2016 at 10h00 – 10h30 (on first day)
Venue: 4th Floor Main Boardroom, SAHRC Head Office, Forum 3 Braampark, 33 Hoofd Str, Braamfontein
RSVP to:
Alucia Sekgathume
Cell: 011 877 3627
Cell: 082 689 2364
E-mail asekgathume@sahrc.org.za
