By Albert Pule
Pietermaritzburg - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize has called on community leaders, parents, teachers and learners to work together to bring back a culture of learning and teaching in the province.
“Teachers must always be in class, on time, teaching and refrain from unsavoury relations with learners entrusted under their care,” he urged, delivering his State of the Province Address, in Pietermaritzburg, on Thursday.
Mkhize said education had to be elevated as a priority and the entire community needed to be mobilised to ensure the future of children is secured.
He called for an urgent solution to the discussions regarding the classification of education as an essential service. “While the debate continues regarding education as an essential service, we trust that all interested parties will find common ground expeditiously in order to avoid further uncertainty about the way forward”.
The Premier also welcomed President Jacob Zuma’s decision to establish a Presidential Commission to investigate the appropriateness of the remuneration and conditions of service for public servants, with teacher’s remuneration taking priority.
Since 2009, the province’s transport programmes have benefitted 17 521 from 1898 in 2009.
The number of no-fee schools has been increased from 1879 in 2009 to 2796 to date, which constitutes 82.47 percent of the provinces schools (being non-fee paying) in the Province and these schools account for 71.4% of the learners.
The province is to start with the construction of the Ndumo Comprehensive High School soon. This school is to be built in response to the need to improve quality education in rural schools and will provide education for vulnerable children such as orphans and others.
Mkhize also announced that a youth academy will be launched soon. “Next week we shall be launching the first Youth Academy in Esicabazini in uMkhanyakude. The centre will train youth on short skills as artisans and help them to live a sustainable life as entrepreneurs.
“It has a component to rehabilitate those who may have been involved in substance abuse. From 300 students per annum, thousands of youth will benefit as the centres are rolled out in KwaZulu-Natal.” – SAnews.gov.za
