DA Youth asks Minister of Basic Education to investigate the disruption of schooling due to the ANC YL march

The DA Youth is today, 27 October 2011, writing to the Minister of Basic Education to request she urgently investigate allegations that school children in Alexandra, Soweto and the East Rand have been forced from their classrooms to join the ANC Youth League march.

Keeping school children out of classrooms and manipulating them for political ends, especially during this critical fourth term examination period, is highly unethical and infringes on their right to education enshrined in the constitution.

Apart from being ethically problematic, clause 3.1 of the SA Schools Act states that is it compulsory for all learners between seven years and 15 years old to attend school.

The clause 6b of the act further stipulates;

“any other person who, without just cause, prevents a learner who is subject to compulsory attendance from attending a school, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months”.

We also understand that legislation is currently before the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to ban political activities involving school children during school hours.

We implore the Minister to investigate these incidents and institute serious action against those found guilty of disrupting valuable teaching time.

Media Enquiries:

Makashule Gana
DA Youth Leader
082 773 4755

Kelly Miller
DA Media Officer
072 226 9759