Pretoria – Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says while the right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution, it should not infringe on the right of children to go to school.
The minister reiterated her call for protesters not to prevent children from attending school after her first meeting with education MECs and her deputy Enver Surty.
In recent months, learners in some parts of the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga were prevented from going to school during protests over issues that were unrelated to education.
"The protesters must not use learners as a bargaining chip to achieve their goals. Having just come from Youth Month, we are reminded of the sacrifices made to give our children a decent education. A violation of our future generation’s right to education goes against everything we stand for as a country and government," Minister Motshekga said.
Education plans for the future
The meeting was also used to map the way forward for the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
Department officials presented the Basic Education Sector Plan 2014 – 2019, which aligned the updated sector plan to the National Development Plan (NDP) - Vision 2030 - as well as the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).
Provincial Education Departments also presented their plans and priorities at the meeting. Some of the common priorities highlighted by MECs include improved quality of teaching and learning, and tracking of learner performance through reporting and analysis of the Annual National Assessment (ANA) at Grade 3, 6 and 9.
Priorities also include expanded access to Early Childhood Development and improved quality of Grade R, strengthening accountability and improving management at the school, community and district level.
The MECs committed to work together to achieve their targets. – SAnews.gov.za
