Don’t infringe on learners’ rights

AS SUBSTANCE abuse, bullying, vandalism and sexual assaults sadly become commonplace in our schools, it is important to ensure that the rule of law is applied.

It is equally important to ensure that any matter is reported to the police and that there is prevention and awareness (as part of a whole-of-society approach) around such evils, both on and off school premises.

This broader approach must first include parents and their children. It must also include community members, the Department of Education (DOE), the SAPS, private security companies, community police forums, religious organisations and leaders, NGOS working in the sector and many more stakeholders.

It is the DA’S considered view that lawful searches of private and/or personal property and possessions is a SAPS function.

Schools have a duty to ensure that they do not allow the rights of learners to be infringed while they are under their care – no matter how dire the situation is.

If a learner refuses any private security company or its personnel from searching them or their possessions, they would be in the right. Neither the school nor the company can force or threaten them to comply.

If schools want to conduct random searches, they must first approach the SAPS and follow all protocols and procedures to do this.

There are schools that are riddled by gang violence and other crimes where searches are conducted within the confines of the law. This is the only way it should be done.

At the end of the day, it is about our children’s future – in which we all have a stake. Everything possible must be done to put them first in keeping with the rule of law.

As citizens we have a duty to exercise our right to correct the mess that the KZN’S DOE is in, through the ballot box, and rescue our province from the current feckless government.

DR IMRAN KEEKA, MPL | DA KZN

Spokesperson on Education