ESTCOURT KZN: School policy under scrutiny after girl refused enrolment due to tattoos
“The reality is that while admission policies may vary from school to school, learner's rights to express themselves within those policies must never result in discrimination and loss of learning and teaching time"
“The law must take its course,” said Democratic Alliance (DA) KZN spokesperson on education Dr Imran Keeka on hearing about a case that has made national headlines involving a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly refused entry to a school because she has tattoos.
According to national reports, the girl’s enrolment in a school in Nottingham Road was placed on hold by the principal until the tattoos on her arm and hand were removed; the girl’s family has subsequently sought legal advice.
The matter is expected to be heard in the Pietermaritzburg High Court this week.
Dr Keeka said that he would be sending a set of parliamentary questions to Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu to get clarity on the matter.
“The reality is that while admission policies may vary from school to school, learner’s rights to express themselves within those policies must never result in discrimination and loss of learning and teaching time. If it can be demonstrated that the learner did indeed not comply with the admission policy of the school, then the MEC and the school have a case. In matters such as these, there is always the need to look at school admission policies and individual rights accorded by our constitution and if the need arises for the balance between these to be determined by a court and even in consultation with the South African Human Rights Commission in keeping with their mandate,” commented Dr Keeka.
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