/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has noted with great concern the reports of some schools that are not adhering to the national guidelines on schools uniforms and are not making provision for the diversity of all learners.

The Basic Education Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, said the guidelines are clear. “Schools should take religious and cultural diversity into account when drawing up their own dress codes on uniform, as prescribed by the national guidelines. We live in a diverse constitutional democracy and the rights of everyone, including minority groupings, are protected.”

Ms Gina was referring to media reports about two incidents this week where a Muslim girl at Northcliff High School in Johannesburg was expected to carry a card with her indicating that she had permission to wear her headscarf. In another reported incident, a Muslim learner from De Grendel High School in Milnerton, Cape Town, was prohibited from wearing her headscarf for the month of Ramadan, as the principal indicated he could not find any recommendation that proves that the hijab is compulsory during the month of Ramadan.

Ms Gina further highlighted the issue of the learners of the Shembe religion in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, where schools have forced learners to cut their hair before being allowed to attend school. The Shembe faith stipulates that a man’s strength is in his hair and it cannot be cut.

Ms Gina commended the MECs for acting in the interests of learners’ rights, which are protected by the Constitution, in particular the MEC for Education in Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, the MEC for Education in the Western Cape, Ms Debbie Schafer, and the MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Mthandeni Dlungwane, for acting speedily and decisively to address these matters.

“The Committee welcomes the actions of all the MEC. It shows a commitment to ensuring our schools adhere to policies and respect our Constitution.”

After the intervention of the MECs, the principals at the schools lifted their decisions and both girls were allowed to wear their headscarves.

Ms Gina further stated that the Committee will raise the matter with the National Department of Basic Education, as programmes should be introduced to familiarise existing and new school principals with the national regulations for school uniforms and how to deal with diversity matters.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Nomalungelo Gina