The Mpumalanga Provincial Office (MPO) will be hosting a workshop on children’s rights following rising numbers of learner pregnancy amid Covid-19 as well as enquiries relating to allegations of sexual violations of learners by educators within the province.

The South African Council of Educators (SACE) 2019/2020 financial year report (page 39) reflects “an increase in the number of corporal punishment cases, sexual abuse of both male and female learners”. Both the National Sex Offenders Register (Criminal Law Amendment Act 32 of 2007), and the National Child Protection Register (Children’s Act 38 of 2005) oblige employers in the public or private sectors such as schools; crèches and hospitals to ensure that persons who are employed at these institutions are fit to work with children.

The engagement aims to empower stakeholders in the education sector on Legislative and Policy Reform regarding the abovementioned registers as well as possible measures to eradicate sexual violations of learners.

The workshop is scheduled to take place as follows:

Date: 09 March 2022

Venue: KwaMhlanga Old Legislature

Time: 09h00 – 13h00

For queries contact SAHRC Mpumalanga Provincial Manager Mr. Eric Mokonyama or Advocacy and Research Officer Ms. Margaret Salila on 013 752 8292/ 082 520 1497 email msalila@sahrc.org.za