IFP Condemns ‘Learning Under Trees in 2007’

January 19, 2007

The IFP condemns the continuing reality of large numbers of rural children in KwaZulu-Natal, and elsewhere in South Africa, learning under trees in makeshift schools.

“This is the year 2007. It is unacceptable that schools should still lack essential facilities thirteen years into our new democratic dispensation which aspired to end this archaic practice,” said IFP National Chairperson Zanele Magwaza.

The IFP wishes to remind both the national and provincial Departments of Education that the last time they promised teaching and learning under trees would be eradicated was in 2005.

“This particular promise, like many other targets launched by the department, has unceremoniously fallen through. The department in charge of the problem needs sustainable, long-term responses, not isolated responses to crises,” said Magwaza.

The IFP maintains, in line with the established research, that the existing insufficient schooling facilities hinder achievements in education at all levels. “There is an undeniable correlation between last year’s poor matric results and under-funded schools in the rural KwaZulu-Natal,” said Magwaza.

The IFP sees a viable solution to the problem of learning under trees in local partnerships between schools, parents and the civil society.

“We hereby invite the relevant role players to contribute in their different ways to eradicate all makeshift schools. The schools under trees, the parents of their pupils and the dedicated NGOs all have a stake in the matter. They only need our encouragement,” said Magwaza.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Zanele Magwaza
082 804 7993