Basic Education warns schools not to turn away undocumented children
The Department of Basic Education has urged public schools to stop refusing entry to pupils who do not possess identity documents.
The High Court in Grahamstown ruled in December 2019 that undocumented children cannot be denied access to public schools.
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The department’s Elijah Mhlanga says a circular was officially distributed this week, informing schools of the ruling.
“We are no longer allowed to deny access to education to learners who do not have ID documents.”
He warns that the ruling will have a severe impact on already strained schools.
“We explained what the implications were going to be, but the court still found that learners should not be disadvantaged because of the things that their parents and guardians are doing.
“The implications of implementing this document are going to be serious, but we hope that parents will continue to work with us."