Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms are core principles in education in South Africa. The public school system in South Africa is large, diverse and every situation that arises in a school is governed by acts, regulations and policies. Every role player in education needs to know and understand the legal aspects pertaining to the basic rights and duties of all interested parties.

The law of education in South Africa attempts to make school law accessible by interpreting acts and legal precedents dealing with the multitude of issues occurring in a new democratic country that in its supreme Constitution, guarantees that everyone has the right to a basic education.

The law of education in South Africa analyses acts, regulations and case judgments with the purpose of providing a legal framework guiding the actions of education managers and school governors in protecting the human rights of everyone involved in education.

Beyond constitutional law, South Africa has a mass of laws and legal precedents pertaining to education in general, labour relations in education and the protection of the safety and the best interests of children exercising their right to a basic education.

The law of education in South Africa will be of interest to academics working in the sphere of education, post-graduate students, school principals, educators, parents and other stakeholders who support the notion that “a child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child” (Constitution, section 28(2)).

A review of contemporary "best practice" related to various aspects of school safety and discipline. Considers the significance and the application of human rights in the field of education; school safety, discipline and bullying; and the creation of a classroom environment conducive to a culture of teaching and learning. Aimed at educators, parents and all other stakeholders in the education of children. Contents include the following: The relationship between rights and obligations; Duty of care; Dealing with violence, bullying and victimisation; Basic legal principles pertaining to disciplining learners; Examples of positive disciplinary actions; Classroom values, principles and rules; Guidelines for good classroom communication and for establishing harmonious relationships.