statements that no political organisation will be allowed to disrupt school activities

Oral replies to questions by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for oral reply

11 March 2010

Question no. 5

Mr D A Worth (DA-FS) to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether, with reference to his statements that no political organisation will be allowed to disrupt school activities, any action has been taken to ensure that this does not occur; if not, why not; if so, what action;
(2) Whether any action has been taken against any organisation which has disrupted school activities subsequent to this statement; if not, why not; if so, (a) what action and (b) what are the further relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, clause 9 of the Basic Law Amendment Bill that will be tabled this year seeks to amend the South African Schools Act, 1996 by prohibiting non- educational activities during school time.

The bill further supplements the Regulations for Safety Measures at Public Schools (R1040 of 12 October 2001) that creates a framework for political office bearers and public representatives to have a right to visit public schools in the interest of public accountability. Although these regulations specify that such a visit may not disrupt the school, the proposed amendment makes matters tighter by stipulating that the teaching time of learners may only be used for educational activities.
Political organisations whose members visit schools may therefore not disrupt teaching and learning during regulated hours.

I am not aware of any action that has been taken against any organisation as yet. The amendments to the law that I have spoken about will, once passed, empower authorities to take action against those robbing our youth of their valuable learning time.

Let me end by saying that this is not a matter of law, its violation or effectiveness. It is a matter of society in general and stakeholders in particular valuing and protecting the inalienable right of learners to access quality education without interruption. We owe this to our children and future generations. Let us not disappoint them!

Issued by: The Presidency
11 March 2010