Education horror show
THE Bill of Rights makes it clear that every child in South Africa has a right to basic education. It states “every child has the right, inter alia, to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation”; and consideration must “be given to their well-being, education, physical or mental health or spiritual, moral or social development”.
It also says that “everybody has the right to establish and maintain, at their own expense, independent educational institutions that maintain standards that are not inferior to standards at comparable public educational institutions”.
These rights are firm pillars in our constitution and vital to uphold if our nation is to have a future.
But several education related incidents in recent weeks leave us wondering where are we headed.
How is that a full week after disaster has struck, over 60 primary school children are forced to endure chilly wintry conditions in an open dusty field in order to write their exams?
Gale-force winds destroyed the roof of a classroom at Ngwenyeni Junior Secondary at KuKhanyayo, 50km near Flagstaff, more than a week ago and the children have since been taught under a tree.
All credit to the teachers and pupils for persevering, but why has the department not provided a temporary structure?
Then there is the case of Dumrana Senior Secondary School pupils having to do without any proper textbooks after the provincial department apparently failed to deliver learner-teacher support material – since last year! Totally unacceptable! The situation at Mpozolo Senior Secondary School at Mpozolo Location in Mendu Village in Willowvale is also a case for grave concern.
Pupils angry about the alleged failure of the authorities to fix their school torched the premises causing about R1-million in damage. Books, equipment and documents, six brick and mortar classes, two temporary structures and an admin block with newly constructed toilets were destroyed.
No matter what the cause, this wanton destruction of property cannot be condoned.
These children are cutting off their noses to spite their faces.
But where are the adults supposedly in charge? If teachers are “afraid” to go back to work, why – over a period of three weeks – have the police not been called? And once again, where is the education department to provide back up? Further, where are the parents to put a foot down?
Instilling order – at work and at home — is not something that can be left in the hands of children. It is the responsibility of those from all spheres of authority.