Project synthesis

The Values and Human Rights in Education is a project initiated by the National Department of Education in the implementation of the Values in Education Programme. The main task of the programme is to integrate teaching of values and human rights into the school curriculum, based on the Manifesto on Values, Education and Democracy, which values that are fundamental to the Constitution and relevant to education.

Strategy/Objectives

The goals for this project are:

• To develop a framework for values and human rights in the school curriculum at national level.
• To provide educators with the appropriate and context-sensitive teaching and learning materials and training programmes that promotes human rights issues in the school environment.
• To create training and mechanisms for managers and teachers to integrate awareness of values in education and human rights into their practice with a view to improve general knowledge on the issue and commitment to providing training at school level.

Target group

The project will impact on 72 districts in each of the nine provinces of South Africa, in the country. The expertise of educators and managers who receive extensive training in the field of values and human rights will be utilised by schools, provinces and districts, in the form of further training, seminars and materials development.

Activities and Expected Results

• Approximately 18'000 learner support material packs will be produced and distributed to schools for educators. These will provide guidelines on the National Curriculum Statement and the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Values and Inclusivity, and will contain useful information about the educator and learning in an inclusive classroom.
• 2160 educators will receive training in management, teaching methodologies, developing and selecting learning support materials, selection of content, curriculum development and support and assessment strategies. The Department of Education will subsequently use it as a model for scaling up in schools throughout the country.
• The training will be accompanied by effective support and monitoring systems. Emotional, psychological and therapeutic support and counselling for participants may be necessary and training providers will endeavour to make provision for this.

Partners

The National Department of Education will manage the project. The project management team will collaborate with representatives from all provincial departments of education, teacher unions, and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

Project duration

The project is supported from 02/2003-12/2004.

Funding
 
The amount of R 4'000'000 has been allocated for this project.

Geographical area

The Values in Education project is implemented in all the provinces of South Africa.

Contact address

Department of Education
Directorate: Race and Values in Education
Sol Plaatje House
123 Schoeman Street
Pretoria
South Africa
Tel: (012) 312 5636
Whittle.G@doe.gov.za