[imagesource:befunky]

After having to spend thousands on school uniforms a few months ago, most parents would welcome the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) poking its nose into the affordability of uniforms in the country.

SAHRC looked into critical issues surrounding various factors that impacted the rights and well-being of school learners across the country, releasing their findings in a report published in October 2023.

The Human Rights group specifically highlighted the need to cap the costs of school uniforms to ease the financial burden on families. They also flagged two other issues relating to the “over-regulation” of appearance at schools, particularly pointing at rules around hair – especially where certain racial, gender and cultural groups are disproportionally affected.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has now confirmed that it will consider reviewing the need for different summer and winter school uniforms in response to the SAHRC’s investigation. Most of their feedback however reminded the SAHRC that might have “over-extended its designated powers”.

Despite this, the department said it would consider revisions that are within its scope – such as possibly reviewing the necessity of different summer and winter uniforms and special uniforms for grade 12 learners in some cases.

The department said that direction for learner ‘appearances’ is provided for in School Codes of Conduct – and publicised incidents in the past have already ‘led to conclusions that this code is updated and revised as soon as it is clear that it infringes on learners’ rights’.

Supposedly a plan to deal with unfair discrimination in schools is being finalised, and sector guidance will be provided once that is done.

“In the context of gender identities, the DBE has worked with (various bodies) and other stakeholders to consider a Draft Guideline for the Socio-educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Schools, which will provide sector guidance on the matter of school uniforms among other aspects.”

SADTU might have a hard time wrapping their minds around all the letters in ‘SOGIESC’, but any changes to school uniforms that help out parents financially are to be welcomed.

[source:businesstech]