DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN PRAXIS

AND PEDAGOGY

SOUTH AFRICAN EDUCAITON SYSTEM

SINETHEMBA AND KRISTI LEE

Outline of discussionBrief history...What?Why?How?Children’s charterCase studyReal life experience...

Brief History of a democratic education system?

What is democracy? South Africa now has a political system for

choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.

The participation of the people as citizens in politics and civic life.

Protection of human rights of all citizens.

All rules of law, in which the law and procedures apply to all equally.

Social Justice

This issue in South Africa incorporates a broad range of socio-logical dimensions in praxis and pedagogy.

It includes attention to fairness and equality with regard to race, class, disability and sexual orientation.

What does Human Rights mean in South Africa?

Manifesto on Education and Democracy was developed by Department of Education in 2001.

Manifesto include all basic human rights and freedom.

The idea is based on universal rights for every human.

Global TrendsThe new outline of education in South

Africa now emphasises , human rights, democratic citizenship and social justice relative to global trends.

Education policies are strategically planned to accommodate all facets of democracy, human rights and social justice, as the need to be internationally competitive and the imperatives of fiscal restraint.

Democracy, human rights and social justice readdressed in the revised national curriculum statement.RNCSbased on democratic principlesFoundation for SA’s new Constitution.Core national curriculum for every

student.Removes bias and prejudice.Outcomes Based Education (OBE).

Why?

South African education should reflect:

DemocracySocial justice

Ubuntu An Open Society

Accountability Respect The rule of law Reconciliation

All these principles should be reflected in everyday teaching as they are the core reason

.

How?Equality in Praxis and Pedagogy

OBEEvery outcome states the minimum requirements

which every individual student should demonstrate

This hopes to ensure equal education for all

SKAV - skills, knowledge, values and attitudes

Responsibility of teachers

Valuing human rightsDuring practice and pedagogy, teachers are encouraged to

take on strategies to support learners to participate in democracy and value rights of others, as well as their own.

Bill of Rights: Article 8: Children’s Rights in Democratic South African Education

ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO: free and equal, non-racial, non-sexist and compulsory education within one

department as education is a right and not a privilege. to education which is in the interest of the child and to develop their

talents through education, both formal and informal. All teachers should be qualified and should treat children with patience,

respect and dignity. All teachers should be evaluated and monitored to ensure they are protecting the rights of the child.

Parents have the duty to become involved in their children’s education and development and to participate in their children’s education at school and at home.

play and to free adequate sports and recreational facilities so that children can be children.

participate in the evaluation and upgrading of curriculum which respects all the traditions, cultures and values of children.

education on issues such as sexuality, AIDS, human rights, history and background of South Africa and family life.

adequate educational facilities and transportation to such facilities should be provided to children in difficult or violent situations.

Argument...Is democracy and children’s rights present in

reality?

Discrimination Gender

Racial

Problems that face South Africa’s Youth, that affect Human rights and Social Justice.

HIV/Aids PovertyDrugs PregnancyViolence

Lets take a look at what teachers display in their classrooms, to show and

teach students about their rights as a child.

Now for three Case Study’s...

Please note that these are from a real life story

of 3 young students in South Africa today.

Visual from our real life experience teaching in a government

school...

Take note please,where is democratic citizenship,

social justice and human rights in education?