Chair, hon Minister, Ministers, measures to address the problem of drugs in schools are welcomed by the ACDP and the objectives of the Bill in general are commendable. However, the ACDP has serious reservations with regard to this Education Laws Amendment Bill, starting with the fact that the amendments effectively remove any mandatory requirement for the Minister to establish an advisory body.
In our view, the fact that several Ministers have failed over a period of 11 years to establish what is at present a compulsory advisory body, highlights the reality that a noncompulsory advisory body has no chance whatsoever of existing if left to the discretion of a Minister.
Efforts to define and clarify the management role of the school principal, while necessary, are cause for concern as conflict between the principal's management and governance responsibilities are not adequately dealt with. Parents and communities expect school principals to be people of integrity and to protect and promote the school's best interests without reservation. It is the opinion of the ACDP that these amendments require a principal to protect the department, even if it means compromising the school's best interests.
We are seeing a very disturbing trend being highlighted in our health sector at present, where those responsible for institutions are expected to cover for the department or lose their jobs. This is shocking and cannot be accepted as the norm. The ACDP is not convinced by the arguments put forward at present and will vote against the amending Bill. Thank you.