Our Written Comments on Dept. of Basic Education Admission Policy

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.