deadline for schools pledge submissions extended
07 April 2008

The deadline for public comment on the National Schools Pledge has been extended to 15 May 2008, to allow more time for various stakeholders to submit their submissions.

The new Bill of Responsibilities for the youth of South Africa, which will be taught in all schools as part of life orientation skills, was unveiled by the Minister of Education Naledi Pandor in February 2008.  The pledge is aimed at instilling a culture of respect and responsibilities among the youth.

The Bill, endorsed by President Thabo Mbeki, lists 12 responsibilities that flow from the rights in the Constitution.

The responsibilities that young people acknowledge in the Bill are to ensure the right to equality, human dignity, life, family or parental care, education, work, freedom and security of the person, own property, freedom of religion, belief and opinion, live in a safe environment, citizenship and freedom of expression.

"We need to get all sectors of society involved in this process to ensure that everybody understands it well," Minister Pandor said at the time.  She said through the Bill, government wanted to ensure that young people understand their rights and responsibilities.

Learners across the country will be expected to memorise the Bill and recite it each morning during assembly or in the classroom.  This, according to the department, is to ensure that young people handle themselves better as individuals in society.

Written comments are welcome and should indicate the name and postal, email and telephone contact details (if available) of the person, governing body or organisation submitting the comments.

These may be sent to:
Attention: Ms Q Buys
The Director General of Education,
Duncan Hindle, 
Private Bag X 895
Pretoria, 0001 or
fax (012) 326-19 or
email: values@doe.gov.za.

Luyanda Makapela,  www.buanews.gov.za