Some residents of Mahikeng in the North West have raised concerns about some cultural practices that they say disrupt children’s basic rights to education. This emerged during a South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) dialogue aimed at promoting and protecting children’s rights to education, equality, and respect for their language and religion. One of the participants, Grace Matolo, cited initiation schools as one example of traditional practices that are disrupting children’s education.
“Our children are leaving school because of initiation schools. The so-called initiation school owners abduct children during school hours without the consent of parents. I was privileged enough to attend their ceremony celebration and realised that they actually have policies that they need to follow. But those policies are not followed.
“This issue has become a societal problem. Pensioners’ Sassa grant cards are taken by loan sharks because they borrowed money to pay for the ceremonies of their grandchildren. I’m talking about people spending more than R10 000 for such ceremonies,” Matolo.
Gabriel Masetlha, raised various issues including the failure of the department of education to protect learners from bullying at school. “We have had cases of children who committed suicide but still, the issue is not addressed. The department does not even show intentions to address the situation,” said Masetlha.
However, the department of education’s Pamela Rasetshwane, said they have put measures in place to address the issues raised.
“We have taken an initiative to put an indicator that tracks transgressions at schools. The purpose of that indicator works in a way that you are able to highlight problematic schools. If for example you are able to see a school that appears to have had several reports of violence, then it means that school requires attention,” she said. The SAHRC’s provincial manager, Shirley Mlombo, said they are investigating several cases where children’s rights were violated.
“We are currently dealing with cases where children’s right to education was disrupted because of either their sexual orientation or their culture or religion. For an example you find that just because a child is expressing that he is gay or lesbian, they can be denied access to school in some situations until we intervene,” Mlobo said.
She cautioned parents against allowing culture to compromise their children’s education.
“Culture is an important constitutional right and is a form of freedom of expression. So it should be celebrated. But as we know the constitution also says that in any matter concerning the child, the child’s best interest should be paramount. So harmful cultural practices that infringe on the child’s wellbeing, should not be condoned,” she said.
