NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION 60
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 08/05/2012
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11/2012)
Ms M G Boroto (ANC-Mpumalanga) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether her department has undertaken an audit of schools which
are situated within a 500 metre radius of a shebeen or other
liquor outlet; if not, what is the position in this regard; if
so, what is the total number of such schools in each province;
(2) whether her department works with (a) municipalities and/or (b)
any other entities such as the (i) liquor boards, (ii) SA
Police Service and (iii) liquor inspectorate in enforcing
contraventions of the liquor laws by shebeens and liquor retail
operators; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details;
(3) what plans are in place to (a) deal with the problem of schools
that are located within a 500 metre radius or closer proximity
to shebeens or other liquor outlets and (b) address the
challenge of shebeens and other outlets that continue to sell
liquor to learners, especially during school hours and to
learners wearing school uniform? CO304E
Response
1) No, the Department has not undertaken an audit of schools which
are situated within close proximity of shebeens or liquor
outlets. The Regulations for Safety Measures for all Public
Schools declare schools as drug, alcohol and dangerous weapon
free zones.
2) The Department has signed a Collaborative Partnership Protocol
with the South African Police (SAP) in order to deal with
broader issues relating to crime and violence within schools and
communities. This is inclusive of alcohol and drug use.
Furthermore, senior officials from the Department serve on the
Interdepartmental Technical Task Team on Combating Substance
Abuse led by the Department of Social Development to give
impetus to the implementation of the National Programme of
Action for the Prevention and Management of Substance Abuse.
Through this programme, and in collaboration with relevant
partners at provincial and local levels, the issue of shebeens
and liquor outlets in the vicinity of schools as well as the
selling of liquor to under-age children is being addressed.
3) (a) As indicated above, the issue of the proximity of shebeens
to schools is addressed through the National Programme of Action
for the Prevention and Management of Substance Abuse, led by the
Department of Social Development. Collaboration with local drug
action committees and non-governmental organizations has been
identified as a key intervention to create an enabling
environment for policy implementation.
b) In addition, drug and substance use prevention is addressed in
the curriculum as part of the Life Skills subject, as well as
through co-curricular activities such as peer education.
