THE Eastern Cape Education Department has issued a stern warning to school governing bodies (SGBs) and principals after it emerged that some have licences permitting the sale of liquor on school premises.

Acting head of department Sharon Maasdorp has ordered that all schools holding permanent liquor licences not to renew them and/or seek immediate cancellation given that no consent was provided in terms of the SA Schools Act.

”Moreover, should this not be adhered to, the Eastern Cape Liquor Board may consider the issuance of compliance notices given that the material obligations and terms of the licence have been breached in that there is no proof or right to occupy which is as a result of the fact that the SGBs or principals do not hold the authority to consent,” she warned.

According to Maasdorp, only education MEC Fundile Gade, in line with legislation, may consent to the retail sale of liquor on public school premises.

The SA Schools Act makes provision for SGBs, with the approval of the MEC, to lease, burden, convert or alter immovable property of a school to provide for school activities or to supplement the school fund of a school and even allow any person to conduct any business on school property to also supplement the school fund.

The department said it has been inundated with requests from various public schools requesting its support in their applications for liquor licences for the sale of liquor on school premises.

”It has come to the department’s attention that public schools hold permanent liquor licences where consent, or authority was provided by the SGB or principal without the required consent (in terms of the SA Schools Act),” the department’s acting head added.

Maasdorp explained that Gade is empowered to consider an application and, on good cause shown, allow any person to conduct any business on school property to supplement the school fund.

”However, any application for a business to engage in the sale of liquor from school premises will not be approved. This prohibition applies to the sale of liquor on school premises to both permanent and event liquor licence holders,” she stated.

Maasdorp added that it was the department’s responsibility to ensure that all schools are safe and conducive for effective teaching and learning.

”To this end, the MEC and the HOD (Maasdorp) have declared all schools in the province as alcohol-free zones,” she pronounced.

This, according to Maasdorp, is in line with the National Department of Basic Education’s national strategy for the prevention and management of alcohol and drug use among learners in schools.

In addition, she warned that any entity or person acting against the declaration of schools as alcohol-free zones will be in contravention of the SA Schools Act.

The national strategy states that all South African schools should become tobacco, alcohol, and drug-free zones but prohibits random drug testing and that drug testing should only be used where there is reasonable suspicion that a child is using drugs. It also provides for preventive education through the Life Orientation curriculum.

Schools are required to adopt a code of conduct, which includes the management of learners who abuse substances.

Additionally, the policy intends to support learners who abuse substances as well as staff and learners affected by substance abuse and contribute to the effective prevention, management, and treatment of drug use.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za

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Eastern Cape bans school liquor licences in major education reform