Basic Education clarifies Socio-Educational Inclusion Draft Guidelines

“It is not totally true that the Department is proposing unisex toilets in schools,” stated the Department of Basic Education in response to repeated media reports regarding intentions to implement unisex restrooms in schools.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the department explained that the media stories are primarily based on an original draft of a discussion document, which has since undergone revisions before being released for public comment.
“This is an issue that has been blown out of proportion, possibly as a result of the ongoing consultations on the Guidelines for the Socio-Educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Schools.
The department stated, “The narrow focus on unisex bathrooms is disappointing since it ignores the larger debate on the elimination of gender discrimination in all aspects of society and specifically developing a socially favorable and inviting climate in schools.”
The agency noted that the paper referenced in the media is currently undergoing review, and that it poses significant questions regarding the integration of sexually and gender diverse children in school entrance, curriculum, co-curricular programs, uniform, and facilities.
“It is not totally accurate that the department proposes gender-neutral restrooms. Instead, the government is investigating the applicable response options to ensure the constitutional requirement for the socio-educational inclusion of sexual minorities and avoid the already overwhelming litigation, the agency stated.
What prompted the drafting of the guidelines?
a) It is the intentional or inadvertent violation of human rights and discrimination against children of varied sexual and gender identities.
b) The litigation with which provincial education ministries were confronted in relation to this issue.
c) School governance challenges experienced by School Governing Bodies in relation to these concerns.
“Even though we have an unambiguous Constitution and inclusive education policies and legislation, it was clear that schools needed a tool to help them avoid violating children’s rights,” the department said, adding that it must ensure that children with diverse sexual and gender identities have equal access to the education system.
The publication outlines international and regional frameworks that establish an enabling environment for member states of the United Nations, African Union, ESA, and Southern African Development Community to engage in diversity and inclusion efforts in education and training.
There are also constitutional and education policy obligations that safeguard children with varied sexual and gender identities.
“The majority of the document explores how the education system helps schools in creating a secure and caring environment so that all children can have a positive living and learning experience without discrimination or prejudice, focusing in particular on SOGIESC.
The department stated that certain political parties’ petitions were premature because a formal public engagement process will be implemented once the present phase of consultations completed.
The agency has issued a call for calm as the situation is currently being handled according to standard procedures.
As suggested by the Council of Education Ministers, the guidelines are currently undergoing district consultations and will be published in 2023.