Politicos, teachers should walk the walk

THE plight of Colenso’s Morning Star Primary pupils who learn under trees, as well as those of Eziphunzini, who have to walk for hours to get to Hlalele Primary School (The Mercury, May 11), refers.

What a pity children have to suffer such hardship in their quest for education so they, too, can enjoy their rightful place under the sun.

I also did my lessons under a mango tree, then graduated to the mud-walled lounge of a caring resident, then to a community-built school in rural Kraanskloof Farm, on the periphery of Clermont, and went without shoes for most of my formative years – but that pales when considering what the children of Colenso and Eziphunzini have to contend with.

So well done to you and your staff for highlighting what could be just the tip of the iceberg, especially in rural areas.

I would suggest that politicians and education personnel, and other stakeholders, should do what your reporter, Leanne Jansen, and her colleagues did – by actually walking the walk, instead of just talking, to experience first-hand what is an everyday occurrence for the aforementioned pupils.

After all, there is nothing better than personal experience to unravel such anomalies and disservice. Instead, the mantra should be: suffer not the children. BRIJLALL RAMGUTHEE

Newlands