In September 2013 a second draft of the Norms and Standards was published. But by the May 15 deadline, there was nothing to publish, and EE secured a court order to compel publication in the shortest possible time.
The Minister ended up conceding that her draft Norms and Standards “lack substance and certainty”. We submitted our comments and mobilised in the streets. EE held public hearings around the country where hundreds of learners, parents and teachers gave detailed input. It was so poor that EE members asked if it was a summary. In January 2013, the Minister published a draft.
Hundreds of EE supporters were about to begin camping outside the court when the agreement was struck. The settlement was only achieved days before the Minister was due to face EE in the Bhisho High Court. In November 2012 the Minister finally agreed, in an out-of-court settlement with EE, to publish Norms and Standards by May 15. In the space of just one year a great deal has changed. Up until just over one year ago, Minister Motshekga was saying she would never publish binding Norms and Standards. The History of the Norms and Standards Campaign MECs are now also required to develop school infrastructure plans within a year and to report annually to the Minister on their progress in implementing the Norms and Standards. This too is a significant improvement on the time frames contained in the previous draft for the provision of these resources. The Norms and Standards also require that classrooms, electronic connectivity (telephones, fax machines and internet), fencing, as well as all other water, power and sanitation requirements be provided to schools within seven years, and that libraries and laboratories be provided to schools within ten years. The previous draft Norms and Standards, which were released in September of this year, set ten years for the provision of these basic services and resources to schools. These Norms and Standards require that all mud and asbestos schools be eradicated within three years, and that schools without water, power and sanitation be provided with these services and resources in the same period. Equal Education (EE) welcomes the adoption of Norms and Standards by Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, on Friday 29 November. The adoption of these legally binding Norms and Standards is a major victory for activism, and the result of over three years of sustained campaigning by thousands of Equal Education members and supporters across the country.
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