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Readers react to the article about Angie Motshekga reading the riot act to officials and teachers' unions
Simon Haw
via SMS
Too often, we hear threats and lamentations. The real test for Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is whether she is going to intervene directly in the failing provinces and cleanse their departments of political appointees. She owes it to our youth.
Martin Struthmann
Western Cape
I agree with the minister that the lack of sanitation in schools is an affront to children’s inherent right to dignity and that we need to get the basics right. Violence, corporal punishment and bullying are also an affront to children’s right to dignity, and need to be addressed in many schools in spite of corporal punishment being prohibited by the SA Schools Act. Research has shown that violence inhibits learning.
Alton Jikana
Eastern Cape
There is no national catastrophe here. In fact, I think Angie M herself is already an educational crisis ... How can a crisis solve another crisis?
Ntuthuzelo Ganyile
Eastern Cape
A big yes. Priority is given to politics. There has been an outcry for schools not provided with necessary resources, but this landed on deaf ears. Deployment is killing our education system as people with no basic knowledge in education are appointed to top positions. It is unfortunate that the views of the people on the ground are not considered – policies are just imposed.
Bravis Maqhasha
via SMS
I agree absolutely. She was frank and “brutally honest”. Lady Frere, for example, is a disaster. Accommodation is also a serious problem in the Western Cape in particular. My six-year-old boy is currently sitting at home. I applied early at more than five schools last year. His siblings are in Pinelands Primary School. The school couldn’t accept my child to Grade 1. His right to education has been violated. The arrogance of principals is amazing.
Joseph Maqhekeni
via SMS
Government has contributed to this national catastrophe, in particular the department of basic education.
Isaac Molefi Makhabane
Eastern Cape
Yes, I agree. As a principal of 25 years at Bethania Primary School and Lehana Secondary School, I had and have to deal with the challenge of sanitation. Every year, we speak to the department through our education development officers about the shortage of ablution facilities. Our pleas fall on deaf ears. I think that if a school makes a plea about a facility, the department must immediately investigate and act accordingly.
Bafana Dlamini
via SMS
Angie Motshekga must fire herself first for the textbook saga in Limpopo and the mess that is the Eastern Cape education department, among other things.
Eva Bogiages (teacher)
Gauteng
Our education system HAS BEEN IN A CRISIS FOR YEARS! And all the statistics, research and evidence have proved this over and over again. Why is Angie “reading the riot act” only now? Political gain for the ANC? Let’s see if this new approach will last until after elections. I’m sick of the incompetence.
