Anti-Racism, Education and Equality
The South African Human Rights Commission’s Anti-Racism, Education and Equality Focal Area looks specifically at issues of systemic and institutional racism, access for all to quality education, and discrimination on any and all of the prohibited grounds.
The two-fold vision of this Focal Area is a society in which racism and inequality, in all of their dimensions and manifestations, starting with the education sector, have been dismantled and everyone experiences a sense of material and affective belongingness. A well-functioning, humane, accessible, and diversity-embracing education system is key to this mission.
The office operationalises the above mission through the following tactics:
• Strategic litigation.
• Institution of inquiries and hearings.
• Policy and legislative reforms.
• Community and sector dialogues.
• Media provocations.
• Diversity and sensitivity training.
• Synergistic collaborations with other SAHRC’s focal areas.
The strategic plan for the Commission emanating from the Anti-Racism, Education and Equality Focal Area broadly includes:
• The running of the Commission’s Promoting a Culture of Human Rights and Social Harmony through the Resolution of the National Question Campaign, which aims to facilitate open and honest discussions on the state of, and vision for, South African nation-building where everyone experiences a sense of affective and material belongingness.
• The implementation of a constitutionally compliant Model School Code of Conduct, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education. The model school code of conduct is designed to create a school environment that finds a balance between respect for learners’ constitutional rights and values, as well as the need for rules that create a safe environment that is conducive to learning.
• The development and rollout of a Diversity and Sensitivity Training Manual to foster a culture of understanding, respect and tolerance – especially in the workplace.
The two-fold vision of this Focal Area is a society in which racism and inequality, in all of their dimensions and manifestations, starting with the education sector, have been dismantled and everyone experiences a sense of material and affective belongingness. A well-functioning, humane, accessible, and diversity-embracing education system is key to this mission.
The office operationalises the above mission through the following tactics:
• Strategic litigation.
• Institution of inquiries and hearings.
• Policy and legislative reforms.
• Community and sector dialogues.
• Media provocations.
• Diversity and sensitivity training.
• Synergistic collaborations with other SAHRC’s focal areas.
The strategic plan for the Commission emanating from the Anti-Racism, Education and Equality Focal Area broadly includes:
• The running of the Commission’s Promoting a Culture of Human Rights and Social Harmony through the Resolution of the National Question Campaign, which aims to facilitate open and honest discussions on the state of, and vision for, South African nation-building where everyone experiences a sense of affective and material belongingness.
• The implementation of a constitutionally compliant Model School Code of Conduct, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education. The model school code of conduct is designed to create a school environment that finds a balance between respect for learners’ constitutional rights and values, as well as the need for rules that create a safe environment that is conducive to learning.
• The development and rollout of a Diversity and Sensitivity Training Manual to foster a culture of understanding, respect and tolerance – especially in the workplace.