The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) on Friday criticised the proposed school pledge as a ”top-down approach” by the government.
”It endangers the chance of a buy-in from all stakeholders and we call for meaningful engagement with the Minister [of Education Naledi Pandor],” Sadtu said in a statement.
The union welcomed the debate raging around Pandor’s proposal, but questioned the purpose of the pledge.
”What is the purpose here: To inculcate loyalty and morality?” it asked.
”Does this conflict in any way with our stated objective of developing critical thinking amongst learners?”
The union also questioned whether the pledge would be a good or bad thing and in what context it would be acceptable. — Sapa