CLASI – clasi.org.za

“The South African Constitutional Literacy and Service Initiative (CLASI) is a NGO which works with high school children and university law students to raise awareness about citizen’s constitutional rights. CLASI focuses on working with historically disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, primarily in so-called Coloured and Black areas.” CLASI helped to develop this week’s human rights story.

Equal Education – equaleducation.org.za

This NPO’s work is to ensure all South African children receive their right to a quality education. It includes many learners. “Equal Education is a movement of learners, parents, teachers and community members working for quality and equality in South African education, through analysis and activism.” They take up legal cases on behalf of learners or communities. You can read more and see short films about their powerful norms and standards campaign click here.

Section 27 – section27.org.za

This team of activists is named after Section 27 of the Constitution that deals with socio-economic rights, e.g. to education, health care, food, water and social grants. It aims to, “influence, develop and use the law to protect, promote and advance human rights”.

Wits Education Rights Project – erp.org.za

This university-based project has published a comprehensive booklet on language rights in schools, (link in in previous section). It has many other downloadable booklets to do with rights in education.

The Pan South African Language Board – pansalb.org

PANSALB was set up by Parliament in 1995 to, “Develop the 11 official languages, and promote multilingualism in South Africa.” It monitors and protects language rights.

The Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa – praesa.org.za

PRAESA aims to, among other things, implement: “research and development programmes about bilingualism and biliteracy in early childhood education,” and is committed to, “raising the status of the (official) African languages for oral and written language functions in society”.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) – education.gov.za

The National Department and provincial departments have responded quickly to the current wave of unrest about discriminatory practices at schools, asking Governing Bodies to review their school rules.

There are many organisations that are involved in the protection of human rights generally in South Africa. Click here to view these organisations’ contact details.