learners to be taught bill of responsibility 
18 February 2008 
 
The new Bill of Responsibilities for the youth of South Africa will be taught in all schools as part of life orientation skills, says Education Minister Naledi Pandor.  Unveiling the Bill, the minister said there was a need to instil a culture of respect and responsibilities among the youth, “South Africans young and old need to have a sense of responsibility in line with the constitution!”

The Bill, which President Thabo Mbeki endorsed, 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.

Although the Bill is being distributed to schools, the minister said members of the public still time to comment about the Bill until March.“We need to get all sectors of society involved in this process to ensure that everybody understands it well,” Minister Pandor added that through the Bill, government wants to ensure that young people understands their rights with responsibility.
Learners across the country are 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.  According to the minister, the Bill will be in all the official languages.

The Bill of Rights would be distributed in poster format in schools and would also be taught as part of the life orientation curriculum. Earlier this month, Minister Pandor unveiled the National Schools Pledge which she hopes would instil a sense of morality in the youth.  Last week the minister announced in parliament that the pledge would first be circulated for public opinion before it is sent out to schools and other public places.

The pledge reads as follows:

We the youth of South Africa
Recognising the injustices of our past,
Honour those who suffered and sacrificed for justice and freedom.
We will respect and protect the dignity of each person,
And stand up for justice
We sincerely declare that we shall uphold the rights and values of our Constitution
And promise to act in accordance with the duties and responsibilities that flow from these rights.

! KE E: / XARRA // KE

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika

 
Edwin Tshivhidzo, www.buanews.gov.za