The Importance Of Equality In Schools

2.3 Learners right to privacy

Everyone has the right to privacy and the right not to have their property searched (1996:sec.14(b)). The strategies that the schools uses for discipline violates the right of learners to privacy for exam-ples confiscating learner’s cellphones and going through the photos and massages invades learn-er’s privacy. Some learners trust their teachers that they tell them their secrets and teachers gossip about what learners tell them in the stuff room and this is privacy invasion. Searching learners bags looking for drugs and weapons may lead to learners privacy and dignity not been respected.

2.4 Limitation of learner’s rights “Human rights and freedoms are not absolute and may therefore be limited.” (Joubert

Equality in schools means avoiding discrimination and promoting equality opportunities in a classroom and a school as a whole in order to improve the attainment and progress of all learners, regardless of their background and circumstances. Equality can be achieved by raising awareness of diversity and how to combat discrimination in schools, by so doing we will be preparing our young people to become good citizens, and to appreciate the difference in the society they live in. Teachers and learners must have equal access to all the activities that are taking place in the school setting and must both receive equal re-spect because the functioning of the school depends on the mutual respect between teacher and learners and teachers and parents. A school must not disadvantage learners and teachers in such a way that it discriminates or practices unfairness. A school must not harass or victimize the learner. According to the Bill of rights (108 of 1996:sec.9 (1)) everyone is equal before the law. The right to equality comes with following responsibilities: everyone must be treated fairly and equally, and do not discriminate unfairly against anyone on the basis of status, race, gender, nationality, disability, lan-guage, culture and ethnicity. Subsection 9(2) supports the rights with responsibilities as it states that equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. South Africa is a unique and diverse nation, and people found in it are different. Equality will mean diverse people coming together to build a common sense of belonging and a nation pride. Equality transforms schools into truly equal institutions. Young people need to comprehend equality and know their rights. They must understand both how they should be treated and how they should treat others. When