Johannesburg — Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, has criticised parents for refusing their children’s admission to township schools, as the department struggles with admission backlogs.
Thousands of parents queued in inclement weather as they tried to get their children placed at school ahead of the new school year, as more than 20 000 students were still not placed for 2024.
Chiloane came to the defence of some schools situated in disadvantaged areas in the province, saying that parents who are struggling to place their children, should accept any placement their child gets, EWN reported.
“Our township schools, here in our province, have become our backbone of success as a Gauteng provincial government. That’s why every time when we speak about township schools, we speak with pride, because they have demonstrated over time, with the quality of leaders and educators in the schools, results have come,” Chiloane said.
He added that township schools have produced lawyers, doctors and even presidents, and people who are capable of making change in South Africa, encouraging parents not to turn away from township schools.
[WATCH]: Gauteng Education MEC @matomekopano addressed the learners at Kgatoentle Secondary School in Ga-Rankuwa. The MEC stated that this fully-resourced school and its excellent academic performance is a prime example of the @GautengProvince’s vision of changing the landscape… pic.twitter.com/nionRQy53n
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) January 17, 2024
Opposition parties have expressed their concerns over some schools that are allegedly still waiting to receive learning materials. The DA’s Baxolile Nodada has called for Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga to step away over her failure to improve the schooling system in South Africa.
Meanwhile, ActionSA’s Herman Mshaba, has said the shortage of classrooms throughout the country is an infringement on the rights of students.
“As we have seen in the previous years, many will be left disappointed as they struggle to attain placements. The destruction of our education system in South Africa is the biggest crime committed by our unpatriotic government,” he said.
Chiloane and Motshekga, attended schools throughout Gauteng, including Kgatoentle School Secondary School. The purpose of today’s visit is to oversee the reopening of schools.
Motshekga’s address had a special focus on teenage pregnancy, bullying, and substance abuse, and encouraging learners to focus on their education rather than delay their future with destructive activities.
Minister Angie Motshekga, together with @EducationGP1 MEC Matome Chiloane have arrived at Kgatoentle Secondary School in Ga-Rankuwa. #BackToSchool2024 @ElijahMhlanga @HubertMweli @dbetvnews pic.twitter.com/wzZfvQeCVW
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) January 17, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
