Court decision confirms status quo in Gauteng schools;
FEDSAS searching for permanent solution
27 May 2015
Cooperation with the Gauteng Education Department is first on the agenda for the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS) following the South Gauteng High Court’s decision later yesterday (26 May 2015) to grant an urgent application to prevent this provincial education department from actively interfering with public schools’ language and admissions policy.
The urgent application followed after Afrikaans single-medium schools in this province were informed by the Department that new learners have to be admitted to these schools starting next term, and that these learners are to be taught in English. Last month, departmental documents were leaked in which mainly Afrikaans single-medium schools are allegedly targeted to become parallel-medium schools. The Department’s controversial e-platform for admissions applications also forms part of the application.
“According to yesterday’s court decision schools may continue to deal with applications and admissions according to the procedures for the past couple of years and which include that public schools may determine their own language and admissions policies,” says Mr Paul Colditz, CEO of FEDSAS.
A second part of the application that deals specifically with the conversion of single-medium schools to parallel-medium schools will be heard later. “However, the court’s decision makes provision for schools to be able to continue as normal.”
The Gauteng MEC for Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, has since accused FEDSAS of racism. “It is clear that the MEC and the Department do not realise the extent of the issue. This is not about race, language or bringing back exclusivity. Such allegations are merely an effort to politicise the issue,” says Dr Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO of FEDSAS. “This case is simply about the authority and functions of school governing bodies and about the principle of legality, which determines that officials may only do what they are authorised to do in accordance with the law. In this instance the MEC exceeded his authority and acted outside the legal framework as well as previous decisions by the Constitutional Court.”
Colditz says departmental interference with the language and admissions policies of public schools in Gauteng is a recurring problem. “However, this court decision creates a platform for investigating and finding a permanent solution. It is not the goal of FEDSAS to oppose the provincial education department at every opportunity. On the contrary, the organisation wants to establish a positive working relationship with the MEC and the Department in order to avoid costly court cases and unnecessary stumbling blocks in processes.”
However, it remains FEDSAS’ first priority to protect the interests of its members. “Our member schools have been advised to report any form of pressure or intimidation,” says Colditz.
FEDSAS’ request to education officials is simple: Do not alienate role-players – let’s rather fix our broken schools.
(FEDSAS is a voluntary association of school governing bodies of public schools and supports quality education in these schools. More than 1800 public schools are already members of FEDSAS).
Statement issued by Mr Paul Colditz, CEO: FEDSAS, and Dr Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO: FEDSAS, May 27 2015
