Parties want MEC to go
THE Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Chris Hani region have called on education MEC Mandla Makupula to resign following the poor matric results of 2015.
The Eastern Cape, which is the worst performing province in the country, obtained a 56.8% pass rate in 2015.
EFF regional secretary Wonga Dunjwa said the party congratulated those who had passed matric adding they had to be prepared for challenges in the institutions of higher learning including funding. Matriculants who had not passed should not despair as there would be other opportunities, he said. “The ANC has been promising free education since 1994 but until today there is no free education in this country and there will never be under the ANC-led government.”
National Student Financial Aid Scheme was a loan, not free education.
His party was not surprised by the poor results as the EFF had made it clear that the education system was a disaster.
Makupula and premier Phumulo Masualle had dismally failed the province.
“MEC you must swallow your pride and resign. You are lost and you don't have a clear direction to change the disaster we are in (sic).”
He said when the ANC-led government wanted to celebrate a 0.5% increase in 2014, the EFF made it clear it would never celebrate mediocrity.
“In September 2015 EC had 1 555 vacant teacher posts. Students wrote exams without the guidance from their teachers. How can a sober MEC expect a 70% pass rate while there are 1 555 vacancies?”
he asked. He said the camps for matrics were not effective as there was no infrastructure and no ac- commodation.
DA shadow MEC for education Edmund van Vuuren also this week called on Makapula to resign, saying the MEC continued to turn a blind eye to the shortcomings in the department.
Van Vuuren, who described the results as ‘bitterly disappointing’ said education was the ticket out of the poverty cycle but that the dreams and hopes of pupils were being destroyed by a dysfunctional department.
“It is time for drastic political intervention. It’s time for fresh political leadership at the helm of this department.” Despite the trying circumstances, Van Vuuren congratulated those who passed and encouraged those who did not to keep trying.