MEETING ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PRESENTATION FOR THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION PRESENTATION BY DEWA MAVHINGA, SENIOR RESEARCHER MARCH 8, 2016

“COMPLICIT IN EXCLUSION” Presentation today will outline:  International standards used to assess South Africa’s compliance with inclusive education obligations  Key findings and recommendations of HRW’s report on lack of inclusive education for children with disabilities  Recommendations for the Portfolio Committee

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS  Primary education must be free and compulsory for all children  Government must guarantee inclusive education  Children with disabilities should be provided with support in the general education system to learn on an equal basis  No exclusion from primary, secondary, and higher education and vocational training  Government has a duty to provide reasonable accommodation in schools

KEY FINDINGS  Discriminatory and Unequal Access to Education  Discriminatory Fees and Expenses  Lack of Quality Education and Unequal Access to Curriculum

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS  Adopt stronger legal protections for children with disabilities as annex to South African Schools Act  Adopt a legal duty to provide reasonable accommodation in ordinary schools and prevent rejection of learners with disabilities  Implement a “weighting system” in ordinary schools  Adopt Norms and Standards on financing for learners with disabilities

THANK YOU Further details of our report and recommendations can be found here: