Gaye Davis
CLAUSES in the interim Constitution governing education are impeding the African National Congress’ ability to deliver and should be expunged from the new Constitution, says Blade Nzimande, chairperson of the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Education. The collapse of mass-based organisation was also threatening transformation, he said in an interview this week.
“You can’t expect what you put in the Constitution to change the balance of forces. It merely provides a framework. What is going to drive education transformation is strong organisation on the ground. Education is a priority area targeted by the National Party, where they will be defending their past gains as much as possible. If we are weak, the National Party’s interpretation is going to prevail. If we are strong, we will prevail.
“People are aware the folding of the National Education Co-ordinating Committee has left a vacuum in terms of pulling together democratic forces around education,” Nzimande said. “The ANC’s aim is to build forums across the board. If we don’t do that, we’ll be leaving the minister and the MECs to the wolves.”
If the ANC were to meet its goals in transforming education it would have to move quickly, Nzimande said.
“Transitional arrangements mean we need to consult, and this is impeding the ability of the ANC to deliver. Unless we move quickly in doing away with the limitations imposed by the interim Constitution, we’re not going to meet our goals.
Clauses guaranteeing the right to basic education and equal access to places of learning were important, but the ANC was against clauses that could be interpreted as entrenching the status quo in schools and
Clauses the ANC wanted removed included those granting provinces the right to form their own schools’ policy and those saying the rights of schools, universities and technikons existing before the Constitution came into effect could not be altered before bona fide negotiations with governing bodies.
Nzimande said he expected the NP to “raise a storm” over the new National Education Policy Bill now due before Parliament, which gives Education Minister Sibusiso Bengu the power to override provincial policy decisions where they clash with those laid down
If passed, the Bill would enable him to implement, after processing, the recommendations of the Review Committee on School Organisation, Governance and Funding, Nzimande said.
The report’s proposals will lay the basis for a schools system free of inequalities.
Nzimande said the NP would “not give up without a fight. Implementation will be the crucial stage — and if our sectors are weak we will be in trouble.”