By: Benni Mudau The South African Constitution guarantees that every child has the right to access basic education. However, for siblings Lebogang* and Tebatso Ngcobo* – grade eight and ten learners respectively – from the New Horizon College, a private school in Harrismith in the Free State, this right was Continue Reading
PUBLISHED BY: Daily Maverick WRITTEN BY: Mduduzi Nkosi and Matshidiso Lencoasa Civil society has consistently advocated for ways to expand public spending without deepening debt or burdening the poor. Now, the challenge is political will. In such a volatile economic climate, leaders must seize this moment to craft a Budget Continue Reading
Basic education and health see gains, but austerity still prevails. The 2025 Budget maintains real investment in basic education and health care, reflecting a welcome stated commitment to funding these constitutionally protected rights as priorities. While this is a necessary step toward strengthening essential services; it comes at a cost. Continue Reading
PUBLISHED BY: Daily Maverick WRITTEN BY: Joy Hlatshwayo, Livhuwani Malelelo and Demichelle Petherbridge Rehabilitative sanctions imposed on two teachers goes some way to vindicating the applicants and their children, underscoring the importance of child participation in disciplinary processes and the need to ensure a holistic approach that prioritises the rights Continue Reading
As civil society organisations committed to food justice, children’s health and education rights, we are alarmed by the recent handover of McDonald’s-branded ‘Mi Desk’ desks to two Cape Town schools, facilitated by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube. This follows similar corporate-branded desk donations from Old Mutual and Hollywood Continue Reading
PUBLISHED BY: WRITTEN BY: News24/City Press Matshidiso Lencoasa and Gauta Mashego The state of the nation address (SONA) attempted to paint a hopeful vision for South Africa, but promises alone will not build our nation. The upcoming budget speech is the true test of the commitment of the Government of Continue Reading
PUBLISHED BY: WRITTEN BY: Daily Maverick Zeenat Sujee ‘Child and teenage pregnancy has a ripple effect on young girls and their futures within society. Some of these girls are forced to drop out of school, which in turn increases the cycle of poverty as well as the stigmatisation that comes Continue Reading
The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, marked a critical test of the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) commitment to turning campaign promises into life-changing reality. Despite campaign promises for human rights realisation by the coalition partners, the MTBPS presented underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining Continue Reading
11 July 2024, Johannesburg – Civil society organisations SECTION27, the Equal Education Law Centre (“EELC”), the Legal Resources Centre (“LRC”) and Equal Education (“EE”) are extremely concerned about the Department of Basic Education’s (“DBE”) amended Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure (“School Infrastructure Regulations”). These Continue Reading
17 May 2024, Johannesburg – SECTION27 welcomes the National Assembly’s passing of the long-awaited Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA Bill), which now awaits the President’s assent. The BELA Bill is a necessary piece of legislative reform that will align the current South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 (Schools Act) Continue Reading
FIRST PUBLISHED ON :WRITTEN BY : News24 | City PressZeenat Sujee and Fatima Laher The reinforcement of homeschooling regulations through the Basic Education Law Amendment (BELA), which is currently before lawmakers, is a welcome development. This regulatory framework ensures that learners are safeguarded and their fundamental right to basic education Continue Reading
The Basic Education Law Amendments (BELA) Bill has been shrouded in much controversy, debate, and misinformation. SECTION27 debunks five myths about the BELA Bill that have been circulating primarily through social media platforms. 1. Abortion Fiction: The BELA Bill, often misunderstood as an abortion Bill, has generated misconceptions suggesting that Continue Reading
