PRIORITISE CHANGE IN EDUCATION
THE Collins Dictionary describes transformation, in the South African context, as a national strategy aimed at attaining national unity while promoting reconciliation through negotiated settlements and non-racism.
Others will tell you that transformation, in layman’s terms, means a change in position or direction.
This change in position and direction is what has informed the agenda of many students at higher education institutions across the country.
They have told of how the lack of transformation at varsities has been a catalyst and a driver for the grim challenges they face in pursuit of education.
As a result, many of them have shunned the notion of a negotiated settlement for a much more radical approach by taking to the streets and protesting what they believe is their Constitutional right.
Deputy Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka in her consultation with varsities this week also learnt that the lack of reform is what hampers hordes of students from accessing these institutions.
However, this narrative is nothing new. For years, young black children have not only waged war against financial exclusion but against an inherent system that seeks to deprive them of obtaining a quality education whether it be at primary or high school level.
It appears then that the crux of the matter, is the fact that quality education in South Africa continues to remain a privilege reserved only for a few.
This has been evident in how children in rural and peri-urban schools are still expected to learn without adequate or quality learning material.
How do we expect a child who only knows what a science lab is from just looking at a textbook to compete in the working environment against a child who went to a school with a fully-equipped science lab.
This equates to inequality which, in turn, serves as a fertile ground for lack of transformation in the future.
As a country, we can continue to watch in dismay as the youth take to the streets to fight for what they believe is right, or we can effect change.
This change starts with changing the quality of what our children are taught at early childhood development centres and primary schools.