SCHOOLS DECLARED ALCOHOL-FREE ZONES

Eastern Cape Department of Education has declared all schools in the province alcohol-free zones, ending the practice of selling liquor on school premises. The Department issued an order instructing school governing bodies (SGBs) and principals to stop selling alcohol, citing the SA Schools Act which does not permit the sale of alcohol.

The Department’s acting head Sharon Maasdorp said in a circular that the MEC for Education Fundile Gade would not approve any application for a business to engage in the sale of liquor from school premises.

MEC Gade’s spokesperson Vuyokazi Mboxela emphasized that the instruction was mandatory and school principals would be held accountable for non-compliance. The order came into effect immediately, affecting 38 schools which had liquor licenses.

The National Liquor Policy and the Eastern Cape Liquor Act prohibit liquor premises from being located within a certain radius of schools, places of worship and other sensitive areas.

The Old Dalian Union, which built the ODU Malcolm Andrew Sports Centre for Dale College has expressed its concern over the order.

The ODU’s Phiwe Ndinisa said they were seeking clarity from the department, since the rent and activities of the ODU were for the school’s benefit. The facility had both a bar and a deck but liquor sales were restricted during school hours and sports activities.

Hudson Park’s Donna Bartlett acknowledged the Department’s concerns but emphasized that the school had been operating within the legal guidelines. She said the sale of liquor was an important source of revenue for fundraising events but the school would comply with the order.

The move by the Department has been welcomed by some parents and community members who believe that the sale of alcohol on school premises sends the wrong message to learners. However, others are concerned that the loss of revenue from alcohol sales will have a negative impact on schools’ finances, affecting their ability to provide quality education.

The Department has said that it will work with schools to find alternative sources of funding, but some critics have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of this plan