Cape Town - Female pupils have said male teachers were violating their rights by offering them better marks in exchange for courtship, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Michael Masutha heard in Parliament on Monday.
Masutha engaged with 100 high school pupils on constitutional education and human rights.
He urged the girls to record incidents, gather evidence and report them as soon as possible.
Masutha focused on the Bill of Rights as every citizen’s protection from discrimination: “You must never allow anyone to discriminate against you because of your race, gender and sexuality. It is wrong.
“We are all equal before the law and we are protected by the constitution,” he said.
Masutha said teachers should play central roles in pupils’ understanding of their rights.
He encouraged pupils to refrain from drugs and crime.
“The good behaviour of a young person is a licence for a better life for you,” he said.
Zoe Hanslo, of The Settlers High School, appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the constitution and got her voice heard.
“I learnt a lot about how the laws are being developed as well as my rights as a young person, which were designed to make me equal to others.
“The minister was patient with us and he answered all our questions without shooting us down,” she said.
The engagement forms part of the department’s celebration of the constitution’s 20th anniversary. The Grade 10 and 11 pupils were from Philippi, Manenberg, ID Mkhize, Tuscany Glen, Masiphumulele, Grassdale and The Settlers high schools.
Masutha held a similar dialogue last week at the Apartheid Museum for Gauteng pupils.
Hishaam Mohamed, regional head of the justice department was impressed by the pupils. “It was a real treat to see students asking very important questions related to first, second and third generation rights.
“I was happy to hear the learners have taken the time to actually study the preamble of the constitution in recognition of past injustices.”
Cape Argus