Education 'an investment'

2008-01-16 14:05

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Dear Editor,

In reference to the letter by Vicky van Gemert, I would like to reflect that after the Minister of Education Naledi Pandor consulted with the Council of Education Ministers, the Education Laws Amendment Act, 2007 was introduced to deal with or address the challenges facing education.

The National Norms and Standard for School Funding, according to the South African School Act, 1996 (Act No84 of 1996), came into power to allow provinces not to charge school fees to learners countrywide.

Most schools within provinces have been identified as 'No fees schools', which simply means that learners, according to their level of poverty, would not pay fees themselves but be provided funds by the government.

Names of schools under this process are listed on the website of the Department of Education.

It is equally important for Vicky van Gemert to read the policies of the department before making uninformed statements because all the challenges mentioned are actually in place, and most importantly it cannot be implement in a blink of an eye.

I really want to encourage members of the public not to unnecessarily criticise the system of education but assist where necessary. Education is mainly a key to personal development and our government will continue with no fear to allocate it to all citizens, particularly for better lives.

It is a long-term investment the country can make; let people make the best use of it. It is important that people understand where we come from and where we are headed so that it also enables us all to improve the quality of lives so that we are can contribute to a peaceful, productive and democratic nation.

Siphiwe Mabasa
Faerie Glen (Pretoria East)

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..The comments will begin nicely then land up just being a blame game and a place for people to moan and groan. I'm sick of it, nobody want to lift a finger to assist with anything. They sit back and expect everyone to run around them like servants. You wasting your time expecting people not to complain. It's our national past time.

I can only make one conclusion in respect of all the curriculum changes that have happened the past few years and those that are in the pipeline for implementation and that is that government does not take into account the quality of education our children will receive but instead they only have one goal in mind, to get learners out of the schooling system within the shortest possible time which will result in possible cost savings for the department. I do not know what was wrong with the old system as it did create an abundance of professionals. My nephew is currently in Grade 9 and after matric he would like to follow in my footsteps and do a B.Com degree in accounting and it was shocking to me to find out that in the current curriculum he is not offered the option to have accounting as a separate subject. What have become of our education system ? I can?t believe that we have to pay thousands of rand to the tax man and for school fees and in return our children receive an education that adds zero value.

if I remember correctly Vicky was referring to the ridiculous prices charged for designated school uniforms,and the impact that this had on parents who cannot even afford to provide their children with a wholesome meal every day.Her argument was based on the question as to why there cannot be one general,cheaper alternative for a common school uniform countrywide.You still have not answered her question.

should do its part as well. You can be as positive as you like about education, but without having any Textbooks, chairs, tables and toilet facilities (basics) it will be very difficult. The problem here is YOU don't have the facts .. THINGS are currently NOT in place .. even Mrs Pandor was surprised to see that certain schools still don't have the BASICS?? "Blink of an eye" is 13 years ALREADY!

If I recall correctly, Ms van Gemert's complaint was not about school fees but about the fact that school uniforms had to be bought at specialist (and, therefore, expensive) stores. She stated, and I agree, that schools should have generic uniforms which can be bought at places like Pep. This is a change that can be brought about "in a blink of an eye".

People are very optimistic in their expectation of our education system. I mean we?re a young democracy of only 14 years and can?t expect everything to be hunky-dory after so many centuries of prejudices. It doesn?t take a rocket scientist to deduce that. It?s due diligence. Only now are we leveling the playing fields and undoing the sins of our past. On the other hand one can only dream of surpassing our expectations in Africa. If there?s a light at the end of the tunnel for Africa, it?s probably an incoming train. One would have thought that we?ve learned from the sins of the past. The corruption of the various government bodies only justifies actions of the past. I?ve lost faith in this country. A democracy we fought for I believe is lost. I mean what the hells wrong with Selebi eh!!

Whose responsibility? Why should I not criticise a dept that is ruled by an incompetent bunch of pseudo intellectuals?I pay school fees so my child can get a substandard education.More in class,less teachers.We are being herded into the slaughterhouse so to become an illiterate electorate.Just the way the ANC wants it.Hell yeah!!I will criticise

If we need to eradicate all forms of poverty, unemployment and poor investment etc, we need to empower kids with good quality education. Real transformation starts with educating our kids, and free education at primary school should be made compulsory. This should be followed by corrupt free feeding schemes and subsidised uniform and properly trained teachers who are also well paid given their skills and qualification. Our kids remain poorly educated compared to the rest of Africa.

It is a very sad day when our children are no longer to be taught about the two greatest wars in the history of mankind.Just an example of the flawed new syllabus.Remember one thing,you cannot rewrite history (as the NP learnt for themselves),you can only re-tell it differently or just leave out the bits that don't suit you anymore.

the question which was raised by Vicky van Gemert was relating to UNIFORMS and has now been taken out of context - as stipulated by "The Truth" this has not been answered? Also - what is behind a "uniform" ? why must it be specifically designed and cost a fortune?

The past is precisely that. Reasons for things failing in the present should be dealt with in the present, no use throwing your hands up in the air and say it's because of the past. The challenges need to be dealt with now with present tools and present attitudes.....

Collin, my sentiments exactly! i find it funny for Mabasa to sing praises for a department to moved failed learners in grade 11 to 12 in 2006 because of 'new curriculum implementation'. Now the same learners have failed grade 12 and are now refused to repeat the grade because of "new curriculum implementation"... quite clearly Mama Pandor would like ot get rid of them from the schooling system timeously - they drop the matric pass rate anyway.Now shud i praise Ms Pandor ?

For the first time: well said Colin. It does seem that it is all about getting them out. Also, if the government wants better matric turnover, yet take away discipline and weaken the teacher/child ratio, then the only way to get better turnover is to simplify the exams.

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Education 'an investment'

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