Setting the record straight on alcohol at school functions

Friday's front-page article, "Short-sighted MEC slated" in the Cape Times,  refers. It is completely incorrect that the minister has “repeatedly expressed concerns” to me.

We had a discussion at the Basic Education lekgotla in the St George's Hotel earlier this year. She said she would feel more comfortable if we said that schools could make application for the ability to have alcohol on school premises, not that a blanket permission be given. I told her that this was exactly what we are going to propose in the amended Bill, and she then said she was happy with that!

I was then told, before the last CEM meeting, that this Bill would be on the agenda. We made some enquiries as to how it got there, and were told that it had been discussed at Hedcom. The matter was then withdrawn from the agenda. This was not at my request. I raised issues of concern, because the proposal was being made without discussion with me, and was stating that they wanted to ensure “harmonisation” of provincial and national legislation. I reminded the minister that basic education is a concurrent competence, where provinces have constitutional authority to depart from national legislation; and, in fact, provincial legislation prevails, except in very limited circumstances.

I was told that the minister wanted to discuss some aspects with me. I had to leave the CEM meeting before it finished to catch my plane home, and specifically went to her and said that I heard she wanted to speak to me. She said she would arrange to meet with me when she was in Cape Town. I asked her to please do so as soon as possible, as I was almost ready to propose it to the provincial cabinet. She said “okay, that's fine”. And that was the last I heard from her.

I cannot wait forever. We need to get this Bill through. Her amendment Bill has been on the cards for the last three years and I do not intend to wait that long for mine.

There is another opportunity for public comment when the standing committee conducts public hearings, where people will have another say. The committee will then make recommendations to the legislature.

As I have said repeatedly, foetal alcohol syndrome exists despite alcohol at school functions being outlawed. This clearly indicates that having alcohol at school functions is not the cause of the problem. The Bill provides for the option for schools to apply to the HOD to have alcohol at events outside school hours, and subject to strict conditions.

If communities do not wish to do so, they are under no obligation whatsoever to. It will also allow for teachers to consume alcohol at school functions off school premises, which is currently not allowed.

It is hardly providing for the regular sale of alcohol from school premises.

Debbie Schäfer

Provincial MEC for Education

Western Cape

Elijah Mhlanga, Chief Director: Media Liaison - National and Provincial Communication Department of Basic Education, responds: We anticipate that the issues raised will be addressed at the relevant platforms of engagement between the minister and MEC. 

It is therefore appropriate that we allow them to thrash out the issues and make public the outcome of their deliberations at the right time.