The grim state of public education in South Africa highlights the fact that — in spite of “pretentious rhetoric” about a national-democratic revolution and transformation — the African National Congress has failed to facilitate access to opportunity for most South Africans, says official opposition Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon.
In his regular internet column on Friday, SA Today, Leon said in fact “transformation” in the narrow ruling ANC sense of the term — which means superficial equality for the masses at the level of the lowest common denominator, while a small ruling party elite divides the spoils of wealth and power — is the very enemy of opportunity.
He noted that earlier in July, the Western Cape education department released a disturbing report on numeracy and literacy levels attained by Grade 6 pupils in the province. According to the report, only 17,2% of those tested for numeracy attained the average score of 29%. The figure for literacy was 42,1%.
Leon reported that his own party’s research found that many schools do not have available resources, both human and material, to function properly.
“Over 25% of schools do not have water facilities, some 15% of schools do not have sanitation facilities and over 75% do not have libraries. As of February 2005, the total estimated shortage of classrooms nationally stood at 31Â 254.”
“Some 21Â 000 teachers leave the profession annually, and many of those who remain inside it are not suitably qualified. In fact, 16% of teachers were under-qualified in 2002. At schools throughout the country, textbooks are frequently not delivered on time.”
For many pupils, basic education was inaccessible, both economically and physically. Despite the introduction of fee-free schools, the poor still had to borrow R2,7-billion a year to spend on education.
The state was also not doing enough to ensure continued access to education: Only 50% of learners who start grade one continue all the way to matric.
Leon said despite Minister of Education Naledi Pandor’s “much-vaunted commitment to quality education, she has driven through Parliament an Education Laws Amendment Act that strips school-governing bodies of their right to appoint teachers”.
“That authority has now been transferred to provincial departments using criteria that have everything to do with race and nothing to do with teaching excellence.”
Leon said Pandor should go back to the basics to solve the problems.
“She must stop targeting schools, and school-governing bodies, that are functioning effectively and offering high-quality education. She must stop putting obstacles in the way of school-governing bodies that support and encourage outstanding teachers.
“Instead, she should focus her attention on under-performing schools and subject them to much closer and more effective management by provincial education departments.
“The departments must ensure that teachers are in the classroom on time, that they are paid on time and that they are supported in restoring discipline in their classrooms. Teachers must have access to the necessary textbooks and teaching aids required to provide high-quality teaching.” — I-Net Bridge