Our Written Comments on Dept. of Basic Education Admission Policy
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On 12 March 2021, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town submitted written comments to the Department of Basic Education in response to their draft policy – the Admission Policy for Ordinary Public Schools, as contemplated in section 12(3)(a)(i) of the South African Schools Act, 1996.
In our written comments, we welcome the inclusion of the principle of non-discrimination provided for in the policy. We also welcome the explicit inclusion in the policy that a learner must be admitted regardless of the ability to pay, as well as the other factors listed.
We urge, in our comments, that the policy be widened in certain areas to include provisions for learners regardless of their documentation status or citizenship. We also request that the policy speak to the fact that many learners are cared for by caregivers and guardians – not only biological parents.
Read our full written comments below.
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Our Written Comments on the Draft One-Stop Border Post Policy
Read Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town’s written comments on the South African government’s draft One-Stop Border Post Policy.
Our Written Comments on Draft Official Identity Management Policy
Read the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town’s written comments on the South African Government’s draft Official Identity Management Policy.
Scalabrini submits written comments on the Children’s Amendment Bill
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In November 2020, the Scalabrini Centre submitted written comments on the Children’s Amendment Bill. These comments were based on Scalabrini’s extensive experience in the area of refugee and migrant rights, and specifically the rights of unaccompanied or separated migrant children (USMC).
The written comments welcomed the inclusion of unaccompanied and separated foreign children in the amendments, but noted some concerns too. Namely, the Scalabrini Centre outlined its concerns about implementation. It also sought to point out that, where other departments would be equally responsible for implementation (or where the actions of another Department impact on the implementation of such amendments), regulations must be published so as to ensure that the best interests of the child are respected, protected, promoted and fulfilled.
Our written comments also noted that, although the financial implications of the Bill were provided, no clear commitment was made in terms of financing the amendments. This is of particularly concern given the recent experience between the national Department and Provincial Departments in respect of the implementation of the NAWONGO judgment in all provinces as per the National Directive to that effect. Despite this directive, the implementation has not taken place across all provinces. Our written comments noted concern that, without a clear undertaking from the National Department of Social Development, the costing provided in the Bill would not be equitably implemented. The written comments then look at a clause-by-clause analysis of the Amendment Bill.
To read the full written submission, click on the button below.
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Joint Submission to United Nation’s Committee on the Rights of the Child.
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In November 2020, The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, Lawyers for Human Rights, the Centre for Child Law and the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion submitted joint submissions to the United Nation’s Committee on the Rights of the Child.
These joint submissions looked at South Africa’s compliance with the right of every child to acquire a nationality. This right is outlined in Article 7 and 8 of the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our submissions look at: access to citizenship, access to birth registration, blocked IDs and resultant barriers in accessing citizenship and, the lack of a statelessness determination procedure in South Africa. Our joint submissions make recommendations to ensure South Africa’s compliance to relevant CRC rights.
Our submission also draws on the Guiding Principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular, the freedom from discrimination (Article 2) and the best interests of the child (Article 3).
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