What: Launch of the Safe, Caring and Child Friendly Schools Programme - "Let the Children Learn and Play".
Where: Mountview Secondary School, Cape Town
When: Saturday, 2 February 2008 from 09h00 to 13h00
Why: In recognition of the critical support and assistance needed by educators and learners, the Department of Education in partnership with UNICEF, will launch a comprehensive program that aims to address safety and security and other key issues that hamper the attainment of quality education in South African Schools. In 2007, the Minister of Education identified nine schools (one per province) facing challenges of safety and with the support of the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention (CJCP) has provided safety infrastructure and support programmes to these schools. All the nine schools were provided with fences, security lights and gates, security guards and hand held metal detectors.
In addition, management and learners were provided with training programmes aimed at assisting them to deal with challenges of crime and violence. The programme being launched on the 02nd February 2008 is a continuation of the support already provided.
The Child-Friendly Schools Framework (CFS) was first conceived as a means of translating the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the South African constitution and other Human rights instruments to improve school management and classroom practice. It will be implemented by the National Department of Education in partnership with UNICEF, to support progress towards the attainment of quality education.
The Framework attempts to define the provision of quality education in a holistic manner and integrated manner. Furthermore, the Department of education and UNICEF have partnered with Supersport's Let's Play initiative to enhance recreation and development at schools through play and sport.
Enquiries
Yvonne Duncan, UNICEF South Africa,
cell: 082 561 3970
email: yduncan@unicef.org
Gerrit Maritz, UNICEF South Africa
cell: 079 499 4303
email: gmaritz@unicef.org
Lunga Ngqengelele, Spokesperson for the Minster of Education
Department of Education
cell: 082 566 0446
e-mail: Ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.zaVaughn Bishop
Supersport
cell: 082 558 2521
e-mail: Vaughn.Bishop@supersport.co.za
