The South African Human Rights Commission will focus on farm schools in the Free State Province during Human Rights Week, 19-23 March. Whilst this will link with the SAHRC’s National Project on Human Rights and Farming Communities, Human Rights Week will also be used to highlight conditions and problems experienced by learners in farm schools in the Free State.

Farm schools continue to be fraught with problems despite the drastic changes such as the desegregation, which marked a fundamental shift in education policy towards equality and the increased budget for education. Learners in farm schools continue to be disadvantaged because of the low quality of education, poor infrastructure, inadequate facilities, isolation of schools, fewer opportunities for continued education, and the question of ownership, it is often the case that these schools are situated in private property.

In the past the authority of a farm school was vested in the owner of the farm and these schools were classified as state aided schools. It is positive to see that the South African Schools Act has identified and aligned itself with a clear vision to deal with farm schools by doing away with this classification and having only public schools and independent schools. This gives hope that children in farm schools will be able to enjoy the equal opportunities scenario that came with our democracy.

The Commission has identified the Free State Province as a focal point because it has the highest number of farm schools of all the provinces. Over 60% of schools in the province are estimated to be farm schools, hence the Commission’s focus on this aspect for Human Rights week. A detailed programme for the Human Rights Week is available on the SAHRC’s website.Orlando West High School

Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
13 March 2001
Enquiries: Phumla Mthala Tel: (011) 484-8300 Cell: 0832883339

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