When will we learn?

DISCUSSING the poor educational system feels like déjà vu, and this year is no exception. The only difference is that things are deteriorating even faster, and it leaves one concerned about the future of the youth.

Despite the large portion of the Budget allocated to education annually, there is no progress. Lowering the pass mark further and phasing out maths and science to improve the pass rate are also being considered.

The result is that the system is failing learners, in the sense that they are not equipped to further their studies at a tertiary institution or enter the modernised economy and labour market when they leave school. It is reminiscent of the HIV scandal, where the government denied that it had to step in as the tragedy unfolded.

The difference, however, is that the education tragedy will result in a long, drawn-out economic illness that will keep the population trapped in poverty.

The Education Department’s problems are not only caused by the poor curriculum and the low pass mark aimed at ensuring a higher pass rate of unemployed learners, but also by the recent tendency not to build more schools and the consequent pressure which that puts on existing schools.

It forces learners into a disorderly system with insufficient infrastructure, as exemplified by the actions of Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi. The disorder leads to clashes between communities of different races about access to basic education. It is unacceptable for a MEC to incite communities in this way.

Build new schools and improve existing infrastructure. That will make mother tongue education possible, which will guarantee a higher standard of maths and science education.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is bringing about drastic changes in the world. Those who are not properly educated in maths and science will remain in poverty. The requirement for this is mother tongue instruction in the basic phase. Most of the learners who matriculate have to be able to compete in the economy, because the unschooled labour market is shrinking fast as more and more workers are replaced by machines and robots.

When we talk about mother tongue education, we are trying to ensure that our children have a future. It is not mere political talk.