Equal Education Law Centre

02/09/2026

[Know Your Rights ⚖️] Struggling to afford school fees? You may be entitled to an exemption.

School fees should not stand in the way of a child’s right to education.

Our School fee exemptions pamphlet explains what parents and learners need to know, including:

✅ How to apply for a school fee exemption if you cannot afford to pay.
✅ What schools and school governing bodies must do - from informing parents about exemptions and assisting with applications to keeping supporting information confidential.
✅ What parents need to do, including when and how to submit an application.

📖 Read our School fee exemptions pamphlet here:https://eelawcentre.org.za/wp-content/uploads/school-fee-exemptions-pamphlet-2018.pdf

If you are unsure about your rights or need assistance with a school fee exemption application, we are here to help.

📞 Tollfree: 0800 110 752
💬 WhatsApp: 073 058 8622

01/09/2026

On 29 August, the Western Cape Provincial Parliament hosted a civil society engagement under the theme: “WCPP Intergenerational Dialogue: Then, now and next – Honouring the past, celebrating the present, shaping the future for women in the Western Cape.”

The Equal Education Law Centre was invited to speak under Subtheme 2: From Constitutional promise to social reality – Reflection on women’s rights and the persistent challenge of gender-based violence in South Africa.

Our Attorney, Pila-sande Mkuzo, highlighted the Constitution’s promises of equality, human dignity and the right to be free from violence. ⚖️

The discussion connected gender-based violence (GBV) to school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), highlighting how patriarchal norms, poverty, secondary trauma within the justice system, socio-economic challenges and inadequate support services allow GBV and SRGBV to persist.

📢 Our call to action is clear: we need effective policy implementation. The state must stop treating GBV and SRGBV as minor social by-products or secondary budgetary items and immediately ring-fence funding for independent reporting mechanisms, security and psychosocial support.

Constitutional promises must translate into social realities. ✊🏾

31/08/2026

27/08/2026

[Know Your Rights] Bullying is a rights issue. ⚖️

Every learner has the right to learn in a safe environment, free from violence, harassment and discrimination. But knowing that you have rights is only the first step. Knowing what to do when those rights are violated matters too.

Our Bullying in schools pamphlet provides practical information for learners, parents and caregivers on recognising bullying, understanding the responsibilities of schools, and taking action when bullying happens. 📚

Read and share the full pamphlet here:https://eelawcentre.org.za/wp-content/uploads/eelc-bullying-pamphlet_final-2.pdf

Share this resource with someone who might need it. 🤝🏾

24/08/2026

[Education Justice Ambassadors 📚✊🏾] On 15 and 16 August, our Pietermaritzburg based Education Justice Ambassadors came together for their second workshop, building their skills to become stronger advocates for education justice in their communities.

From drafting submissions to learning about the role of media and communications in advancing social justice, the Ambassadors gained practical skills to engage with decision-makers, tell compelling stories and amplify issues affecting the right to education. 📝⚖️📣

It's kinda chic to be drafting submissions, and fighting for education justice.

Through these workshops, our EJAs are building the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to use their voices and advocate for meaningful change.

19/08/2026

Our 2025 annual report is here! 📖✨

2025 was a year of continued action, advocacy and commitment to advancing the right to education in South Africa. ✊🏾

From strategic litigation and policy advocacy to research, community engagement and supporting young people to claim their education rights, the year brought both significant challenges and important victories. ⚖️🎓

Our 2025 annual report reflects on the work we did, the impact we made, the people and communities we worked alongside, and the ongoing fight for an education system that is equitable, inclusive and just.

This is our year in review. This is education justice in action. ✨

📖 Read our full 2025 Annual report:https://eelawcentre.org.za/wp-content/uploads/eelc-annual-report-2025_final-hi-res.pdf

12/08/2026

[Out of Office] Our Law Clinic will be closed tomorrow as our team attends a strategic planning session.

We will not be available for consultations both in person and online. We look forward to assisting you when we return.

You can still reach out to us via WhatsApp or email.

12/08/2026

[Mid-year newsletter] The first half of 2026 has been a powerful reminder that education justice is built through collective action, community power and the law. ⚖️✊🏾

From launching our South African Schools Act plain-language guide, to standing alongside learners and parents demanding access to education; from launching our Education Justice Ambassadors Fellowship across provinces, to advancing litigation, law and policy reform, our work continues to put the rights and voices of learners and communities at the centre.

In our mid-year newsletter, we reflect on six months of:
⚖️ Movement-led lawyering and access to justice
📚 Education Justice Ambassadors turning knowledge into action
✊🏾 Litigation and advocacy to challenge systemic inequality
📢 Law and policy reform to strengthen education rights
🤝🏾 Partnerships, solidarity and community engagement
🌱 Growing our team and celebrating the people behind the work

We also reflect on 50 years since the 1976 student uprising and the continuing struggle for equal, quality education, a reminder that the fight for education justice is far from over.

Read our mid-year newsletter:https://eelawcentre.org.za/wp-content/uploads/eelc-mid-year-newsletter-july-2026_final.pdf

09/08/2026

[Women's Day 🇿🇦✊🏿] This Women’s Day, we honour the women who came before us, whose courage helped shape our democracy. We celebrate the women who are doing the work today, and the young women who will continue to advance the struggle for justice and equality tomorrow.

70 years on, we remember. We celebrate. We continue the work.

07/08/2026

This week, the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) contributed to important conversations at the 30th Annual SAELA -SA Education Law Association International Conference, where this year's theme was: "Pothole or Speed Bump – Balancing Rights, Resources and Responsibilities in Education."

Our team presented on two critical issues shaping the realisation of the right to basic education in South Africa.

⚖️ Katherine Sutherland (Head of Research and Advocacy) and Tarryn Cooper-Bell (Senior Attorney) presented "Abandoned by Government, Trapped by Law: Unfunded Grade R Entangles Grade R Providers in Regulatory Webs." Drawing on our 2025 report, "Left Out Before They Begin: Law, Funding and Equity in Grade R", they explored the legal and constitutional consequences of government making Grade R compulsory without fully funding its implementation.

Their presentation examined how Treasury's decision to fund only a small portion of the quantifiable need, partly by redirecting funding from the Early Childhood Development grant, has created an unfunded constitutional mandate that disproportionately impacts children from poorer communities. They also highlighted the disconnect between law, policy and budgeting when Parliament creates rights-based obligations that are not adequately resourced, leaving schools, Grade R providers and, ultimately, young learners to bear the burden.

🏫 Chandre Stuurman (Senior Attorney) and Sith'enkosi James (Candidate Attorney) presented "When Policy Meets Capacity: Learner Admissions and the Limits of the Right to Basic Education."

Their presentation demonstrated that despite a strong legal framework and significant policy developments following litigation against education departments, many learners continue to experience prolonged periods without access to schooling. Focusing on the Metro East litigation and its developments to date, they explored how litigation, policy reform and persistent infrastructure shortfalls continue to shape learner admissions and learners' access to basic education.

We are proud of Katherine, Tarryn, Chandre and Sith'enkosi for sharing the EELC's research, litigation experience and advocacy with education law practitioners, academics and policymakers from across South Africa and beyond.