'We have a constitutional obligation to make sure that we teach all children' - GDE to Operation Dudula

The Gauteng Education Department has explained to Operation Dudula that it has a duty to cater for all children, whether they are documented or not.

Operation Dudula has been going to a number of schools around Soweto on Monday, telling them to stop enrolling pupils who are undocumented foreign nationals.

After blocking entrances of public healthcare facilities, Operation Dudula has now turned its attention to public schools.

During its operation in Soweto on Monday, it was confronted by the Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona.

Mabona said schools were not immigration centres and their only role is to provide education.

"We have a constitutional obligation to make sure that we teach all children. Constitutionally, all children of a school-going age must be at school. Now it's even worse - there is an introduction of (mandatory) Grade R and law dictates that those children must be taught."

Mabona said it's not only foreign national pupils who are undocumented but also South African.