'28 000 South African schools in crisis'

2005-10-15 21:06

Johannesburg - The Federation of School Governing Bodies says more than 28 000 schools in South Africa are facing a crisis because there is not a strong enough focus on quality education, SABC news reported.

The organisation was addressing the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which is investigating access to basic education.

In its presentation to the SAHRC, the federation said former Model C schools fared better than other schools, because parents played a direct role in decision-making through their involvement in school governing bodies.

The SAHRC said the right to basic education was central to the transformation of South African society.

It would release its report on the hearings at the end of the year.

Meanwhile the Department of Education has expressed concern about the shortage of skilled teachers around the country, SABC radio news reported on Saturday.

Speaking in Nelspruit, education Minister Naledi Pandor said the shortage of skilled teachers would lead to a very low matric pass rate over the next few years.

"We don't have a well-structured teacher development programme for teachers who are in service and we need to look at really developing one," the SABC quoted Pandor as saying.

She said this would force the country to employ skilled foreigners.

- SAPA