ALL GAUTENG SCHOOLS TO REVIEW HAIR RULES

FOLLOWING the “hair” protest at Pretoria High School for Girls, the Gauteng department of education will now look into codes of conduct in all schools across the province.

Acting spokesman Oupa Bodibe said: “The department will communicate with all schools in the province to review their codes of conduct so that they are aligned with the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996) as well as the guidelines for the governing bodies to consider when drawing up a code of conduct as contained in the South African Schools Act 1996.”

He said the group that would review the code of conduct must “include as wide a representation of the school community as is practicably possible”.

“The emerging code of conduct must be ‘workshopped’ with all stakeholders at the school, especially learners. The mocking of learners’ hairstyles must also cease so that teaching and learning occur in a conducive and safe environment,” Bodibe said.

“The department will monitor all schools to ensure that their codes of conduct comply with the relevant legislation.”

Bodibe said in addition, a group of eminent persons in premier David Makhura’s office, assisted by the Department of Basic Education cohesion branch, will assist schools on challenges related to social cohesion, race relations, and diversity management.

“This should include the conservative ethos and doctrinal makeup of the schools in general.”