MEDIA STATEMENT
BY THE
INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
New Ministers Inheriting an Education System in Real Crisis
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15 May 2009 The Inkatha Freedom Party has welcomed the appointment of the two new Education Ministers in President Zuma's cabinet - Minister Angie Motshekga and Minister Blade Nzimande - but has warned that they face serious challenges ahead. "South Africa's education system today is in crisis. There is no other way of putting it when you add up the quality of our education, all the miserable facts surrounding the matriculation pass rate and the factors contributing to it such as the OBE," said Alfred Mpontshane, the IFP's Spokesperson on Education. Mpontshane said that while the education system has made strides by providing access to education to more South Africans, the quality of education remains worrying. "The government has failed miserably in providing an education that prepares our students for the job market. Basic literacy, numeracy and writing skills have been grossly neglected," said Mpontshane. Mponthsane said that the IFP would welcome a serious and critical re-look at the Outcomes Based Education System. "In spite of 20% of the budget being spent on education, which is the foundation of our future prosperity and success, public education has failed year after year. An entire generation has now been educated with the new curriculum and its outcome proves that the education system has failed the test. Our children have been betrayed," said Mpontshane. He added: "As a party our argument has always been that OBE will never work unless we seriously address the infrastructural deficiencies, unless we develop a highly qualified, well-paid and highly motivated cadre of educators and unless we are able to encourage and foster the meaningful involvement of parents, OBE is doomed for failure," said Mpontshane Mpontshane added that it was imperative that the new education ministers tackle the education crisis head-on. "The IFP is calling on government to
make education free up to and including grade 12. Government
must do away with the half measures characterising the status
quo. Education is the key to freeing people from poverty, we
therefore want to see that the new Minister of Basic Education
fully implement free education for all," concluded Mpontshane. Contact: |
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