PHUTI MOSOMANE
The high rate of substance abuse in South Africa was cited as the main reason for the strong objection to the provisions of clause 8 of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill which regulates the possession, consumption or sale of alcohol on school premises.
These were the views the residents of greater Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality shared with the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education during the public hearings on the Bill at the Mmabatho Civic Centre in Mahikeng.
The hearings were the second of three hearings in the province which form part of the nationwide public participation process on the Bill.
The promotion of public participation is an obligation on Parliament in line with Section 59 (1) of the Constitution, which compels public involvement in the legislative-making process of the National Assembly. This ensures that laws are reflective of the views and wishes of the people and enhance participatory democracy.
A considerable number of participants highlighted that the presence of alcohol on school premises will send a wrong message to leaners especially when schools are already challenged by taverns and shebeens that sell liquor closer to schools.
While the majority of those against this clause supported the Bill for its broader objectives, they said this clause should be reconsidered.
Other participants argued that those who opposed the clause misconstrued its intention, in sharing their understanding of the clause, they said its intention is to regulate the consumption of alcohol on school premises in the event of school property being rented.
The regulation of home schooling in the Bill also provoked opposing views in Mahikeng. Those who opposed it expressed concerns that the Bill seeks to regulate an environment relatively unknown to the department.
According to residents, the Bill is unimplementable in the sense that the department is unable to hire enough educators, yet the Bill promises that assessors will monitor the implementation and progress of a home schooled child.
Also, they argued that the overregulation of the environment such as the requirement for annual assessment will create an additional financial burden on parents. They called for the complete removal of clause 37 and the drafting of a researched and well thought out Bill on the home schooling environment.
Those who supported the retention of clause 37 in the Bill, emphasised that regular schools are regulated and clause 37 will ensure standardisation and control over the home-schooling environment.
Another contentious point was the determination of language and admission policy at schools with some participants raising a concern that the Bill centralises power in the office of the head of department. The concern centred around the view that the School Governing Bodies (SGBs) are the appropriate and legitimate structures to make such determination due to their proximity to schools. Those against the clause advocated for the department to only intervene in cases where there is clear evidence that the SGB is unduly using the Bill to exclude learners.
Those who supported the clause said it is necessary to stimulate transformation and ensure standardisation across all public schools. Also, there was a fear that not adopting the clause will allow the perpetuation of the legacy of apartheid in the basic education system that continues to disadvantage and marginalise the majority of learners.
Chairperson of the committee Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said there was an agreement on the clause proposing compulsory attendance of school from Grade R as that will ensure qualitative preparation of learners to enable them to cope well at school throughout their basic schooling trajectory.
Mbinqo-Gigaba said the committee considers the public hearings successful thus far given “the high level of contributions it received from participants. The committee had projected about 300 participants, but ended up with over 700 participants.
“In all the hearings held thus far we have received great numbers and quality inputs and this points to the burning desire to ensure a quality education system for the children of this country. All the inputs made will be taken into consideration when the committee deliberates on the submissions,” said Mbinqo-Gigaba.
On Sunday, the committee held last hearings on the Bill in the North West Province in Vryburg. In line with the intention to enable broader access to the work of the committee and to enable extensive consultation as much as possible, the committee has resolved to hold its public hearings in the afternoons and on weekends. The public hearings are open to every individual and organisation wishing to make their submission.
INSIDE EDUCATION