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Adult Education and Training Act, 2000 (Act No. 52 of 2000)

Chapter 4A

25C. Directive principles of national education policy

 

The policy contemplated in section 25B shall be directed toward—

(a) the advancement and protection of the fundamental rights of every person guaranteed in terms of Chapter 2 of the Constitution and in terms of international conventions approved by Parliament, in particular the right—
(i) of every person to be protected against unfair discrimination within or by the Department or centres on any ground whatsoever;
(ii) of every person to receive adult education and training and to have equal access to public centres;
(iii) of every person to gain access to adult education and training;
(iv) of every learner to be instructed in the language of his or her choice where this is reasonably practicable;
(v) of every person to the freedoms of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression and association at centres;
(vi) of every person to establish, where practicable, centres based on a common language, culture or religion, as long as there is no discrimination on the ground of race; and
(vii) of every person to use the language and participate in the cultural life of his or her choice at centres;
(b) enabling the adult education and training system to contribute to the full personal development of each learner, and to the moral, social, cultural, political and economic development of the nation at large, including the advancement of democracy, human rights and the peaceful resolution of disputes;
(c) achieving equitable education opportunities and the redress of past inequality in adult education and training provision, including the promotion of gender equality and the advancement of the status of women;
(d) endeavouring to ensure that no person, as a result of physical disability, is denied the opportunity to receive adult education and training to the maximum of his or her ability;
(e) providing opportunities for and encouraging lifelong learning;
(f) achieving an integrated approach to adult education and training within a national qualifications framework;
(g) cultivating skills, disciplines and capacities necessary for reconstruction and development;
(h) recognising the aptitudes, abilities, interests, prior knowledge and experience of learners;
(i) encouraging independent and critical thought;
(j) promoting a culture of respect for teaching and learning at centres;
(k) promoting enquiry, research and the advancement of knowledge;
(l) enhancing the quality of adult education and training and educational innovation-
(i) through systematic research and development in respect of adult education and training;
(ii) through monitoring and evaluation of adult education and training provision and performance; and
(iii) through the training of educators and adult education and training managers;
(m) ensuring broad public participation in the development of adult education and training policy and the representation of stakeholders in the governance of all aspects of the adult education and training system;
(n) achieving the cost-effective use of adult education and training resources and sustainable implementation of adult education and training services;
(o) achieving close co-operation between the national and provincial governments on matters relating to adult education and training, including the development of capacity in the Department and the effective management of the national adult education and training system.