In 2017, SGS Consulting was requested by the DBE to convene a number of civil society organisations to work with it to review, develop and refine education protocols on a voluntary basis. The protocols refer to sexual violence in schools, teenage pregnancy, corporal punishment and discrimination in schools. Over 12 organisations stepped forward such as the South African Human Rights Commission, Section 27, Equal Education, Equal Education Law Centre and other.
SGS Consulting played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between civil society organisations and the DBE through the process of protocol development. System leaders within education and parents tend not to be clear about their roles and responsibilities, about human rights in the school setting and legal recourse when dealing with issues of sexual violence, teenage pregnancy and discrimination in schools. The protocols are designed to address these issues. The protocol on discrimination in schools is currently being developed.