The Department of Basic Education, in partnership with the South African Human Rights Commission and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, will host the Grand Finale of the 15th Annual South African National Schools Moot Court Programme on Sunday, 4 October. Image: Education department
Siviwe Gwarube
1Min
South Africa
Learners to argue social media rights at Constitutional Court
Four school teams will compete in the 15th annual National Schools Moot Court Programme, tackling the constitutional question of whether schools can restrict learners’ access to social media during school hours.
Four teams of high school learners from across South Africa will on Sunday argue a contemporary constitutional matter before senior judicial officers at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein.
The Department of Basic Education, in partnership with the South African Human Rights Commission and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, will host the Grand Finale of the 15th Annual South African National Schools Moot Court Programme on Sunday, 4 October.
Learners from Ndabankulu Senior Secondary School and Umtata High School in the Eastern Cape, Tygerberg High School in the Western Cape and Klaas Mothapo Secondary School in Limpopo will present their arguments before judges of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and High Courts.
This year’s moot focuses on whether schools may restrict social media access for learners of a specified age while they are on school premises and during school hours.
The case considers the balance between learners’ constitutional rights and schools’ responsibility to maintain safe learning environments.
It also examines concerns surrounding cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation and abuse, harmful online content and unsafe interactions on social media platforms.
The programme aims to strengthen constitutional literacy and human rights awareness among young people while encouraging learners to engage with constitutional issues and participate actively as citizens.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel and South African Human Rights Commission Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi will reflect on the importance of the programme and its role in promoting human rights awareness, constitutional literacy and active citizenry.
