Issued by African National Congress
12 January 2000
The African National Congress regards the year 2000 as a turning point in our education system.
Yesterday, the first group of provinces began the 2000 school year. The ANC would like to call upon all those involved in education : parents, teachers, students, government officials and the public at large, to commit themselves to making sure that the year 2000 is a huge success in terms of education.
Many seven year-olds, yesterday started school for the first time. They are the first intake of the new century and carry with them our hopes for the future and our dream of a new Africa. We trust that they will rise to the challenges of studying and learning, accumulating the skills necessary to make them productive members of society on completion of their schooling.
Unfortunately, once again we begin the year with thousands of young people having failed matric last year. This is a matter of great concern to the ANC, not only because the high rate of failure is unacceptable in the light of the challenges facing us as a nation, but also because it is both financially and socially expensive for the country and puts enormous pressure on the limited resources available.
In order to prevent such failure rates from being a norm in the future, all role-players must ensure that everything possible is done, from Grade One to matric, to prepare students for their final exams and thereafter.
The ANC supports the call made by the President that school principals and school managers must be held accountable for poor results in their schools.
For those that have failed their matric : provincial departments are requested to do everything possible, and to explore all alternatives, to accommodate those who may wish to finish their matric.
While the ANC is optimistic that this year will see a great improvement in the quality of matric results, it remains of the view that our system needs to be transformed, so as to ensure that we as a nation do not only focus on one exit point, but take an interest in the system at all levels. The government should therefore expedite the implementation of the policy on Further Education and Training, so as to create more exit points, as our policy suggests.
With regard to textbooks and stationary, we are encouraged by the reports received that suggest that in the majority of schools these learner support materials have either been delivered or will be delivered in the next few weeks. We remain however disturbed by the fact that the provinces are still not getting it right, when it comes to ensuring that textbooks are available at schools before the first day of schooling.
We are not yet convinced that the relevant officials at all levels take responsibility for ensuring that books and stationary arrive on time. The ANC commits itself to looking closely at what needs to be done to assist in improving this process and calls on the Minister monitor each and every stage of this process this year.
A related matter of concern is the low rate of retention of textbooks at schools. While the government provides learners with textbooks, it is important that these books are kept for the duration they are meant to last. All of us have the responsibility to ensure that books are returned to schools for use by the next group of learners. The ANC, together with democratic organisations, has committed itself to supporting the “Mazibuye” campaign initiated by COSAS.
If we are to succeed in making sure that the year 2000 brings about the desired change in education, we:
The ANC wishes all involved in education a prosperous and successful 2000.
Issued by the Secretary General of the ANC