Equal Education Law Centre

Founded in 2012, the EELC is registered as a law clinic with the Cape Law Society and its staff of social justice lawyers specialise in education policy, legal advocacy, community lawyering and public interest litigation. The EELC engages in strategic litigation regarding major issues surrounding long-term educational reform, as well as working on individual cases arising from experiences of learners, parents and teachers, such as expulsions, disciplinary matters and access to schools. The EELC provides legal services and representation free of charge to persons who would not otherwise be able to afford them. The legal processes pursued by the EELC seek to create systemic change in the education sector.

The EELC is also closely connected to the campaigns of its sister organisation, Equal Education (EE). EE is a movement of learners, parents, teachers and community members, working for quality and equality in South African education, through analysis and activism. The EELC provides legal advice and interventions and, where necessary, strategic litigation, to support the campaigns led by EE members.