JOINT PRESS RELEASE: Coalition deeply disappointed with DBE’s response on ECE Toolkit concerns

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

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FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

A Coalition of religious, spiritual, cultural, educational, and traditional associations says that the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) statement of 8 April 2024 does nothing to allay the concerns of parents and the faith communities of South Africa.

The DBE asserts that the so-called “ECE Toolkit” is “not aimed at promoting any particular ideology, including transgender ideology, among young children”. They further claimed that “the toolkit does not seek to erase or devalue the differences between boys and girls”.

The DBE sent out a tweet with a “Fake News” stamp across the Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) website. The FOR SA website not only gives people the opportunity to look at the ECE Toolkit for themselves (which is branded with the DBE’s logo), but also to contact the Department directly to express their own views.

“A simple fact check of the ECE Toolkit contradicts the DBE’s assertions,” said Michael Swain, Executive Director of FOR SA. It states that “both sex and gender exist across a continuum of possibilities” (page 5) and that teachers should “[use] children’s references to stereotypical ideas about gender as a teachable moment about the incredible variations of gender that exist” (page 39).

The ECE Toolkit further says that State-trained teachers must “[ask] learners from a young age for their preferred name and pronoun” and to use ‘they’ and ‘them’ to “let children know that we cannot assume someone’s gender identity just by looking at them” (page 39). It states that teachers should ensure that “children have access to toilet facilities that correspond with their gender identity” (page 17).

The Coalition’s principal concern is that parents were not meaningfully consulted, much less aware of its existence, before the rollout and implementation of the ECE Toolkit. The Department’s own White Paper on Education policy document confirms that parents have the primary responsibility for the education of their children. They have the right to be consulted by the state authorities and the “inalienable right” to choose the form of education that is best for their children, particularly in the early years of schooling. This includes the choice of the cultural or religious basis of the child's education. By failing to consult, parental rights have been overridden and marginalised.

The ECE Toolkit’s goal is to teach little children views and values that they are not able to properly process and that in many cases will be contrary to those of their parents,” says Reverend Moss Nthla, General Secretary of The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA). “It says that “many families and communities hold to prevailing harmful gender roles and boundaries” (page 47) and that State-trained teachers must “help them [little children] break free from harmful gender stereotypes that hold them back in life” (page 9). This will certainly cause confusion in children and potentially cause division in families. How can this possibly be in the best interests of the child or the family, which is the bedrock of our society?”

The DBE assert that the ECE Toolkit training is an integral element of their strategy to combat Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

“The Coalition is deeply concerned about this plague that is afflicting our society”, says Jan Pretorius, Spokesperson for the South African Community of Faith-based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF). “However, there is no scientific or factual basis to suggest that teaching little children transgender ideology will positively address or resolve the problem of GBVF. Concerningly, this ideology blurs the lines and undermines the standing of women, who are the primary victims of gender discrimination and GBVF.”

The DBE further stated that “contrary to what some have claimed, this is not an imported Western agenda.” However, in a Groot FM radio interview on 9 April 2024, the Department’s Head of Communications, Elijah Mhlanga, said, “We have never done anything in South Africa without consulting researchers, without checking. That's why we work very closely through UNESCO. We cannot continue to hold on to our views, as though life is not dynamic.” The ECE Toolkit was developed by the DBE following a R40 million grant from VVOB, a Belgian-based organisation.

“This is a concerning turn of events where the Department of Basic Education mocks the cultural and spirituality values embraced by families and parents in their quest to nurture the growth and the upbringing of their children early in their tender ages, who would likewise embrace the same value of respect for African Indigenous spirituality, an African fabric that should not be denied anyone", says Thembi Tulwana, General Secretary of Inkululeko Yeziswe Association (IYA). “The Government’s role is to at the least  listen to and respect the voices of parents, rather than uncaringly indoctrinate their children with views and values that contradict our heritage and rich spiritual cultures”

Moulana Abdul Khaliq Ebrahim Allie, President of the United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) and Chairman of the Coalition, concurs. “The teachings of the Islamic faith and the Prophet Mohammed are sacred to all Muslims and will not be changed by a secular ideology imposed by the DBE. We believe that all views and values must be recognized, respected and included in South Africa’s education system.”

ENDS

Links:

Ø  GRP4ECE – aka ECE Toolkit

Ø  “Comprehensive Position Statement” of the Coalition on the GRP4ECE - ECE Toolkit 

Ø  DBE response to the Coalition “Comprehensive Position Statement” on the GRP4ECE - ECE Toolkit

Ø  DBE presentation - Promoting positive gender norms

Ø  GrootFM radio interview - DBE and FOR SA

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

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Moulana Abdul Khaliq Ebrahim Allie

President of the United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA)

Chairman of the Coalition

Tel: +27 83 651 5514

Email: counselling@uucsa.co.za

Michael Swain

Executive Director

Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA)

Tel: 072 270 1217

Email: info@forsa.org.za

Thembi Tulwana  

General Secretary

Inkululeko Yeziswe Association (IYA)

Tel: 078 333 4712

Email: thembitulwana3@gmail.com

Rev’d Moss Ntlha

General Secretary

The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA)

Tel: 082 809 8533

Email: moss@teasa.org.za

Jan Pretorius

Spokesperson

South African Community of Faith-based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF)

Tel: +27 82 378 6163

Email: jan@my3c.tv

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