Should schools with licensed bars be selling alcohol on their premises?
The portfolio committee on basic education does not believe they should as it adopted the Basic Education Laws Amendment on Tuesday.
At present, public schools with licensed bars can sell liquor at functions outside of normal school hours. These are for both school and private events.
That could soon change, but the amended bill would first have to be taken to the national assembly for debate and then to the National Council of Provinces for further processing before it can be sent to the office of the president for ratification.
The portfolio committee members say the presence of alcohol at schools encourages underage drinking.
Basic education committee chair Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said public hearings had been held across the country.
“One thing common at all the hearings was that people said there should be no alcohol whatsoever on school premises, even if it’s for fundraising purposes.
“That is why we have moved to scrap the clause that allowed schools to sell alcohol on their premises after hours for school functions.
“We are of the view that the presence of alcohol on school premises would encourage underage drinking,” Mbinqo-Gigaba said.
But it does more than encourage underage drinking, it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the values of the school and the safety of pupils.
Granted, it may be seen as a revenue-generating stream, and some parents may want to consume alcohol at functions held on the premises outside normal school hours, but liquor consumption often leads to fights and impaired judgment.
What message does that send to pupils about what is and what is not acceptable on the school premises?
A school is a place for learning, where young minds are shaped and core values are instilled.
There are other, family-friendly and more inclusive methods of fundraising that can be explored — wholesome methods that set a positive example for the pupils.
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