DoE proposes no learner be denied school admission based on language policy
The Department of Education is inviting comments on its draft admission policy for ordinary public schools.
Over the years, many parents have complained that their children were denied admission to certain schools due to the school’s code of conduct, language policy or non-payment of fees.
The government is looking at changing that to ensure learners are not unfairly discriminated against or denied an opportunity to learn.
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It has proposed an amendment to its 1998 School Admissions Policy and is calling on the public to comment.
The proposed policy will ensure that no learner is denied admission to a school based on:
- The school's language policy.
- Feeder zones.
- Race, gender, sex, marital status, ethnicity or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, HIV status, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, birth, immigration status or nationality or any other arbitrary ground.
- Outstanding school-fees. Schools will no longer refuse to give learners reports, transfer certificates or refuse them to participate in cultural, sporting or social activities of the school because of outstanding school fees.
Another amendment is that learners who are of school-going age will be given priority over learners of pre-school going age.
No pupil will be refused admission, except based on immunisation.
The draft policy is open for public comment until 12 March.
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Image courtesy of iStock/ @Vitalii Petrushenko