ANC media statement on electioneering during school hours

22 January 2009

In its policy documents: the Election Manifesto, 52nd National Conference resolutions and Code for Quality Education campaign, the African National Congress (ANC) makes it absolutely clear its commitment to improving the quality of education for all South Africans. The ANC also singled out education as one of the key priority areas after the 2009 elections.

A report published in the Sowetan newspaper yesterday (Wednesday) under the headline "teachers 'abandon' classes for ANC campaign" gives an impression that ANC policy is in support of disrupting classes due to electioneering, something we strongly condemn. It is also a grave distortion of ANC policy by anyone charged with teaching, to be involved in political campaigning during school hours at the expense of learners.

Among its resolutions in its 52nd National Conference, the ANC committed itself to focus rigorously on the quality of education. It further called for the review of the duality of public servants elected as councillors, if their political work lead to inefficiency in the classroom.

In its "Quality of Education" campaign launched last year, the ANC called for a major renewal of the country's schooling and education system.

The power to improve education lies with all of us. We need to work together as students, educators, parents, school governing bodies and other stakeholders to make education the priority of all, and continue our efforts to promote the status of teachers - they must be in school, in class, on time, teaching, no abuse of learners and no neglect of duty.

We called for all stakeholders in education to renew our commitment to a 'Code for Quality Education'.

According to this code, education department officials at a local level have a responsibility among other things to always be available to assist schools, principals and teachers; visit all schools within the district on a regular basis, to provide support and guidance; monitor teacher and student attendance, and ensure no child is out of school; and ensure all schools receive the necessary sources in time for teaching to commence. The ANC, therefore, calls on:

• Teachers to teach, as the formal teaching process is critical to education and to the development of learners as individuals. They also need to develop loyalty and respect for the profession, which involves punctuality, enthusiasm, preparedness for lens, and being of sober mind and body. They need to develop and maintain mutual respect and good communication between teachers and students, and between teachers and parents.
• Learners to accept that their primary reason for being in school is to learn and for the development of their potential as all-rounded individuals, academically, socially and culturally.
• Parents to involve themselves actively in governance structures that affect the education of their children; create a home environment conducive to study; and assist in the protection of educational resources such as textbooks, chairs, tables and othe
• The community to ensure that every school-going child is at school. The community should work to ensure a safe and crime-free environment for schooling, and to protect the school and its assets from vandalism.

Education is a means of promoting good citizenship as well as preparing our people for the needs of a modern economy and a democratic society.

Issued by:
Jessie Duarte
National Spokesperson
African National Congress

Enquiries:
Carl Niehaus 072 343 4007
Brian Sokutu 071 671 6919