SADC Policy Framework on Care and Support for Teaching and Learning launched in Swaziland

SADC Policy Framework on Care and Support for Teaching and Learning launched in Swaziland

The following article is from: Swazi Observer, Monday December 12, 2016
… ‘Countries must make secondary school more affordable’

SADC countries are required to make primary education free, pre-primary and secondary school more affordable, through comprehensive schooling polices that address all education costs.

SADC is the Southern African Development Community.

This will include fees, transport and school uniforms and compensate schools adequately for maintaining good educational quality.

According to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) policy framework on care and support for teaching and learning, all countries under the SADC should adopt and implement the framework.

On that note, Director of Education Dr Sibongile Mtshali said primary school attendance remained a challenge, resulting in 20 per cent of enrolled children not completing their education.

Mtshali was speaking at Esibayeni Lodge on Thursday during the official launch of the SADC framework.

Hair at school—stirring up a controversy

A South African school has been accused of racism for allegedly telling black girls to straighten their hair and not wear afros.

Pupils at Pretoria High School for Girls have said they were forced to chemically straighten their hair and not have afros that were deemed untidy. Over the weekend, students donning afro hairstyles and braids held a protest at the school to voice anger against the alleged longstanding rule. (Read about it in the attached file.)

What issues does this raise about rights, prejudice and discrimination at this school, specifically? On a wider front: enforcing school uniforms and prescribed ways of wearing your hair—does that help to inculcate discipline, or is it exclusionary?

How best would you suggest building a socially cohesive culture based on respect and celebration of diversity?

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