Cape Town - The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has hit back amid backlash of its proposal document on gender inclusivity in schools.
A media statement released by the department today expresses disappointment on the portrayal of it to the public.
“The media reports are based mainly on an initial draft discussion document which has since evolved following consultation before it is published for public comment. This is a matter blown out of proportion, which may have arisen from the consultations that are currently under way on the Guidelines for the Socio-educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Schools. The narrow focus on ‘unisex toilets’ is unfortunate as it misses the bigger debate on the elimination of gender discrimination in all spheres of society and specifically creating a socially conducive and welcoming environment in schools.”
This statement is released amid the backlash the department received from activist groups and political parties. The department has called for calm as it believes that the document is still in its discussion stages, and cannot be confined to just unisex toilets
“The document used in the media reports is actually under consultation, it asks pertinent questions about inclusion of sexually and gender diverse children pertaining to school admission, curriculum, co-curricular programmes, uniforms and facilities. It is not entirely true that the department is proposing unisex toilets. Instead, the department is probing relevant response mechanisms to ensure the constitutional obligation for socio-educational inclusion of sexual minorities and avoid the currently overwhelming litigation.”
The department’s statement outlined three core reasons the document was drafted.
1. The violation of human rights and discrimination perpetrated against children of diverse sexual and gender identities whether intentional or unintentional.
2. The litigation that provincial education departments had to deal with relating to this matter.
3. School governance issues faced by School Governing Bodies on these matters.
The department condemned the petitions made by political parties against this document.
“The petitions conducted by some political parties are premature because a formal public engagement process will take place once the current phase of consultations is concluded.”
Yesterday, department spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, welcomed public debate and encouraged it, as it also helps extract input albeit informally from a broad range of South Africans.
He also called for calm as there would be a time for public engagement.