The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape is deeply concerned over the Department of Education’s recent decision to prohibit all alcohol-related events on school premises, including fundraising functions.
While we support the Department’s objective of protecting learners from the risks associated with underage drinking, this decision reflects a lack of nuance. Rather than addressing the underlying causes of youth alcohol abuse, the Department has chosen to penalise schools that are already struggling under severe financial constraints.
Many public schools in the Eastern Cape remain underfunded and under-resourced. In the absence of adequate financial support from the provincial government, school governing bodies often turn to lawful and well-managed fundraising events in order to fund essential infrastructure, resources and learning materials.
These events are typically held outside school hours, do not involve learners, and are subject to strict compliance with national and provincial legislation, including the South African Schools Act and applicable liquor laws.
The Western Cape provides a more constructive example. There, the provincial education department permits schools to apply for temporary event-based permissions under tightly controlled conditions. These include a clear prohibition on learner attendance, oversight by the school’s governing body, and a requirement that all proceeds are directed towards educational needs. This approach recognises the financial realities faced by many schools while upholding the duty to protect learners from harm.
By contrast, the Eastern Cape’s decision to impose a blanket ban, without any form of stakeholder consultation or alternative support, demonstrates a lack of practical insight into the lived experiences of schools in the province.
Denying schools lawful fundraising opportunities without offering viable alternatives places further strain on an already fragile public education system.
If the Department is truly committed to creating safe and supportive learning environments, then it must start by addressing the chronic underfunding of Eastern Cape schools. No school should be forced to rely on fundraising to meet basic operational needs. However, as long as that remains the reality, it is neither reasonable nor fair to prohibit schools from pursuing lawful means of financial support.
The DA has been actively working to support schools that are adversely affected and has sought to engage both the MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, and the HOD, Sharon Maasdorp, it has become increasingly clear that they are unwilling to enter into meaningful dialogue.
While some schools have already initiated or are in the process of pursuing legal action, the DA in the Eastern Cape Legislature will be tabling a motion this week to call on the MEC to urgently engage with school communities, governing bodies, and civil society to revise this policy.
What is needed is not a blanket prohibition, but a balanced and evidence-based approach that protects learners while supporting the sustainability of our public schools.