A/HRC/8/52 page 186 Development is in charge of implementing Social Development Programmes, which among others provides for social security and safety nets and other important services such as social grants for persons living with HIV and AIDS and other debilitating illnesses. 568. The Government has by legislation outlawed corporal punishment at school. It however acknowledges that there are isolated cases of non-compliance with legislation for which corrective measures are usually taken in accordance with the country’s Penal Code. The South African Schools Act focuses on the best interest of the child and respect for children’s dignity. South Africa promotes a human rights-based approach to all its educational policies, and these are strongly reflected into the National Curriculum Statement. This promotes the interests of the child and teaches the values of respect and dignity, diversity and non-discrimination. The Department of Education has initiated the Advanced Certificate Programme in Human Rights and Values Education for teachers, which is offered by universities, and enables teachers to act as champions for human rights in schools. Various other programmes contribute to this aspect as well. 569. Furthermore, the Department of Education has taken steps to ensure the right to education, and rights in education. Periodic reviews by the Human Rights Commission have ensured that these policies are effectively delivered. There is a racial integration strategy, an inclusive and non-discriminatory, non-religion policy in education, and a set of guidelines on managing sexual harassment in schools. These interventions are intended to ensure that no learner is unfairly discriminated against in education. The Bill of Rights is a constitutional imperative, and the Department of Education, working with religious leaders, has recently introduced a Bill of Responsibilities into schools, as a complement to the rights culture being established in the country. 570. School attendance in South Africa is relatively good, with universal primary education well established. A recent study on learner retention concluded that there is now near full enrolment until at least the ninth grade, after which there is a challenge regarding dropouts. However, at least 60 per cent of children complete 12 years of schooling. While financial constraints are cited as one reason for such dropouts, this has been alleviated through the following measures: • 40 per cent of schools have been declared “no fee schools”, in which parents are not expected to contribute anything towards the costs of education. This figure will be increased to 60 per cent in 2009. • It could also be noted that the funding of public schools is heavily weighted towards the poor, with school funding dependent upon the poverty ranking of the school. • At schools with tuition fees, a system of exemptions, based on family income, is in place to ensure that pupils are not excluded from these schools because of the inability to pay. The rule of thumb is that a family earning less that 10 times the school fee is fully exempted from fee payments. • In addition, substantial loans and scholarships are made available to deserving students for study at the Further Education and Training College, at a university, or for teacher training. This has enabled large numbers of poor students to attend such institutions.