The post Media Statement on the 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) Education spending decreases, despite the education crisis. #MTBPS2024 #SifunaUkufunda appeared first on Equal Education.

For Immediate Release: 31 October 2024

IN SUMMARY – Equal Education states that:

Austerity Budgeting & Inequality: The 2024 budget focuses on austerity, limiting spending to less than revenue, impacting public services and socio-economic rights, particularly in education.

Education Funding Shortfall: The Department of Basic Education reports a R32 billion shortfall this year, projected to grow to R176 billion by 2027/28. This is due to rising student enrollment, new mandates like mandatory Grade R, and historical funding gaps.

Lack of Additional Funding: Despite these needs, no extra funds were provided for the increase in Grade R students under the Basic Education Amendment Laws Act (BELA). Education spending overall was reduced by R1.2 billion for the year.

School Infrastructure Issues: Infrastructure backlogs remain unaddressed, with the budget failing to meet school building targets (only one new school and no new water facilities created). The Education Infrastructure Grant will also see a 3% decrease each year through 2026/27.

Western Cape Education Cuts: R321 million was allocated for new schools and disaster relief in the Western Cape, but funding cuts have led to a reduction of 2,407 teaching positions next year.

Teacher Shortage & Bursary Cuts: Cuts to the Funza Lushaka bursary mean fewer young teachers are joining the workforce. Early retirement incentives for public workers and a tight wage bill make the teacher shortage worse.

Impact on Learning: Larger class sizes and fewer teachers hurt learning quality and students’ motivation to pursue teaching. The situation echoes the impact of Bantu education, with long-term effects on poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

Call for Public Investment: Investing in education and public services is essential for economic growth and equality. Cuts to social grants, lack of funding for public jobs, and outdated poverty data further affect vulnerable South Africans.

Appeal to Parliament: Parliament is urged to review the budget to ensure it aligns with South Africa’s constitutional commitment to socio-economic rights. There’s a call to prioritize human development and inclusive economic growth in budget decisions.

Importance of Public Services: Education, healthcare, social protection, and employment programs are essential for a fairer South Africa and should receive adequate funding.

[END]

To arrange a media interview, contact: Ayanda Sishi-Wigzell, Communications Manager. 

Email: ayanda@equaleducation.org.za

Phone: 076 879 3017

The post Media Statement on the 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) Education spending decreases, despite the education crisis. #MTBPS2024 #SifunaUkufunda appeared first on Vuka News.

The post The Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust Zimbabwe is looking to welcome new colleagues on regional exchange! About The Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) appeared first on Equal Education.

read here or below YETT_Programs_Officer_Comms_EE

The Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust Zimbabwe is looking to welcome new colleagues on regional exchange!

About The Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT):

YETT is a youth networking organization committed to the full participation of young people in sustainable development through advocacy and capacity building of youth and youth organizations in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Vision – A just inclusive society where young people fully participate and lead in sustainable development.

Mission – A youth networking organisation committed to the full participation of young people in sustainable development through advocacy and capacity building of youth organizations in Zimbabwe.

In existence since 2004, YETT is a national youth-driven and youth-serving institution that works to strengthen the capacity of youth organisations in their contribution to sustainable development in Zimbabwe and beyond. The youth driven and youth-serving institution does advocacy work to ensure that the policy environment in which youth operate is improved. YETT’s key objectives are tied to its major program activities, which can be summarised as:

• To build the capacity of youth and youth organisations to deliver for national development through training, technical and financial support.
• Engage in policy advocacy to create an environment conducive to youth and other citizens through national level advocacy and reform efforts.
• Strategic-level activities such as research, assessments/analysis, strategy development for institutions working on citizen engagement in the economy and political life.

To attain these objectives, YETT is working as a network of youth organisations that are working on enhancing youth participation in development. Currently, the YETT membership stands at 40 + youth driven, focused, and led organisations working in all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.

Programs Officer – Communications

PURPOSE:

The position is within the Programs Department, working with the Research, Advocacy and Knowledge department, as a member of the Communications team. The officer will be responsible and accountable for supporting internal and external communications and learning; providing technical, administrative, logistical, and clerical support to enable efficient and effective implementation of internal and external communications and, supporting YETT in building the capacity of its partners in communications and creative advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate, develop, and facilitate capacity-building workshops, seminars, and various platforms to enhance network partners’ and member organizations’ ability to execute creative advocacy initiatives.
• Design and implement campaigns on inclusion and access in higher education.
• Manage the dissemination of campaign materials, information resources, and report on their impact.
• Provide consistent support for the Programs Department, including the documentation of impact and significant change stories.
• Collaborate with colleagues to collect data on the effectiveness of programs through reports, newsletters, social media, and other communication channels.
• Act as an in-house editor to ensure that all external communications meet quality standards.
• Draft advocacy articles, press releases, radio scripts, branding materials, and profiling articles for the organization.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure the effective documentation of YETT’s initiatives.
• Develop clear, innovative, consistent, and coherent messaging about YETT and its programs.
• Oversee photography and documentation efforts.
• Document and disseminate data, evidence, promising practices, and key lessons from programming, focusing on packaging this information for funding partners and key stakeholders.
• Take responsibility for monthly newsletters, social media posts and schedules, podcasting, and other multimedia content.
• Assist in coordinating the representation of the organization in regional and international platforms and partnerships.
• Contribute to strengthening the institutional capacity of YETT and extending the sustainability of the organization, sharing experiences and best practices from their home organizations concerning institutional strength and internal governance.
• Promote knowledge management and institutionalization of past experiences.
• Provide support to YETT departments as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Media Studies, Communications, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience (2+ years) in communications.
• Social Media & Design Savvy.
• Strong writing and editing experience.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Familiarity with the non-profit or development sector is advantageous.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in English (both spoken and written); additional language skills are a plus.
• Knowledge of the Southern African higher education system and policy desired.
• Previous experience in a social movement, community-based organisation or youth organization desired.
• Must be able to work efficiently and independently, and to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 18-30 years old.

THE EXCHANGE
This opportunity is part of the 2025 regional exchange between The Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust in Zimbabwe, the Zambian National Education Coalition in Zambia and Equal Education in South Africa, supported by the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (Norec).

The exchange will last for a period of 14 months (February 2025 – April 2026), with 12 months abroad in Harare, Zimbabwe, followed by 2 months follow-up work with your ‘sending’ organization; EE in South Africa.

Through international exchange, the overall objective is to empower young people to have the agency and means to meaningfully participate in the pursuit of access to quality and inclusive education for all.

The following expenses will be covered by YETT:

• Housing costs, including gas, electricity, water, etc.
• Travel insurance and health insurance for the whole exchange, including during the training period.
• Monthly stipend/salary.
• Travel costs to and from your home country, and to and from mandatory Norec Preparatory and Homecoming trainings.
• Departure/start-up funds that may cover passport fees, visas, necessary vaccinations, work permits, etc.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Each application should include a CV and a letter of motivation (one page). Each document must be saved with your name, surname, and the type of document: eg. xxx_xxx_CV. Please save all documents in pdf format. You should motivate specifically for the position you are applying for and detail your interest and suitability to work at the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust in Zimbabwe. Generic cover letters are strongly advised against.

Please include three contactable references.

The email subject line must clearly state the position you are applying for.

Applications must be sent to hr@equaleducation.org.za

Closing date: 25 October 2024

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The post Media alert: Equal Education to host learner-led People’s swearing-in ceremony outside the Department of Basic Education, calling for justice and a transformative education system empowering all learners appeared first on Equal Education.

STATEMENT SUMMARY:

Event Overview: On Friday, 27 September, hundreds of Equal Education (EE) Equalisers (learner members of EE) from five provinces will hold the People’s swearing-in ceremony for Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube outside the Department of Basic Education in Pretoria.

• The ceremony aims to reiterate the call for prioritizing equal and quality education for all learners in South Africa.

Presentation of People’s Performance Contract: Equalisers will present Minister Gwarube’s People’s performance contract, drafted by learners, to the public.

• The contract reflects national and provincial campaign demands based on challenges learners face in accessing their right to education.

Objectives of the Ceremony:

• Increase Public Understanding: To increase public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Minister of Basic Education and Provincial MECs for education.
• Remind Officials of Their Commitments: To remind the Minister and MECs of their commitment to improve the education system and uphold learner rights.
• Provide a Platform for Voices: To provide a platform for learners, educators, parents, and school governing body members to voice their expectations and experiences.
• Highlight Key Issues: To showcase key issues in the education system and advocate for necessary reforms.
• Mobilise Public Support: To mobilize South Africans to support EE and advocate for prioritizing basic education, especially in the context of the Government of National Unity.

Call to Action for Minister and MECs:

• The Minister and MECs are urged to heed the call of learners facing significant obstacles in accessing education three decades into democracy.
• EE urges Minister Gwarube to meet with learners on Friday to hear their needs.

Importance of Immediate Action: The next five years are crucial, and immediate action towards ensuring access to quality education for all must begin.

• Date: Friday 27 September 2024
• Time: 11:30 am
• Place: The Department of Basic Education, Sol Plaatje House, 222 Struben Street, Pretoria

#FixOurSchools  #FixTheNorms  #FundOurFuture  #YouthPowerBeyondTheBallot  #SafeSchools   #LongWalkToSchool  #NoSpaceForUs   #ReadingRevolution  #SofundaSonke  

[END] 

To arrange an interview:

• Sesethu August (Equal Education Communications Officer) sesethu@equaleducation.org.za or WhatsApp 083 890 8723 / Call 063 221 7983

• Kimberley Khumalo (Equal Education Researcher ) kimberley@equaleducation.org.za or WhatsApp/call 079 0770590

The post Media alert: Equal Education to host learner-led People’s swearing-in ceremony outside the Department of Basic Education, calling for justice and a transformative education system empowering all learners appeared first on Vuka News.

The post Joint media statement: Equal Education and the Equal Education Law Centre strongly oppose the Western Cape Education Department’s decision to cut over 2000 teaching posts appeared first on Equal Education.

IN SUMMARY:

• Equal Education (EE) and the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) oppose the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) decision to cut 2407 teaching posts due to budget constraints.
• Budget cuts undermine learners’ constitutional right to basic education, especially affecting poor and working-class communities.
• National Treasury has enforced budget cuts for 11 years, aiming to reduce debt, but has failed to deliver meaningful results.
• Since 2019, education spending per learner has decreased, leading to poor learning conditions, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient sanitation.
• Eleven years after introducing the Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure, deadlines for improving school infrastructure, such as eliminating pit latrines, remain unmet.
• Poorly resourced schools struggle to meet basic needs like paying bills and purchasing textbooks, with no-fee schools most affected.
• The reduction in teacher posts will worsen overcrowding: 48% of Grade 3 learners in 2017/18 were taught in overcrowded classrooms with more than 40 learners. The average learner-teacher ratio in public schools increased from 27.4 learners per teacher in 2011 to 29.8 learners per teacher in 2021.
• WCED estimates the ratio will increase to 36.7 learners per teacher by 2025 due to cuts.
• Teachers express concerns that budget cuts will “collapse education,” promote inequality, and affect learners’ futures.
• Larger class sizes strain teachers’ mental and physical health, reducing their ability to provide individual attention, worsening learner performance, and increasing dropouts.
• Budget cuts also contribute to the admissions crisis in provinces like Gauteng and the Western Cape, which face high migration rates.
• If we factor in the 2024/25 4.7% cost-of-living wage adjustment, Gauteng’s planned employee spending for this financial year faces a shortfall of more than R2 billion. In KwaZulu-Natal, the shortfall is more than R3 billion. This does not consider financial pressures on other essential items in the education budget, like textbooks, scholar transport, and transfers to schools.
• While national budget cuts are central, provincial governments like the Western Cape also allocate less (72%) than the national average to education spending and staff compensation (76%).
• EE calls for public action against these austerity measures, emphasizing education as a fundamental human right that must be protected.
• EE calls on the public to defend education by participating in a picket at the WCED offices on Friday, 13 September at 7:30 am.
• “The rationalisation and redeployment of educators, I fear, is the precipice to the total collapse of education, as education is the fabric that holds the hopes and dreams of our children. Austerity measures is a weapon that will leave the majority of children deficient and without direction and will further promote inequality. We as educators will be left barren and without purpose…,” – Western Cape teacher.
• “We already have an issue with overcrowding. Teachers struggle to control a class of 50 learners… there will be more dropouts – what’s the use of going to school if you are 60 in a class and teachers are unable to give proper attention to struggling learners?” – Yonela Zembe, Western Cape Equaliser.

[END] 

To arrange a media interview, contact: 

• Sesethu August (Equal Education Communications Officer) sesethu@equaleducation.org.za   WhatsApp/Call: 083 890 8723
• Jay-Dee Booysen (Equal Education Law Centre Media and Communications Specialist) jay-dee@eelawcentre.org.za  WhatsApp/Call : 082 924 1352

The post Joint media statement: Equal Education and the Equal Education Law Centre strongly oppose the Western Cape Education Department’s decision to cut over 2000 teaching posts appeared first on Vuka News.

Civil society organisations Equal Education (“EE”), SECTION27, the Equal Education Law Centre (“EELC”), the Legal Resources Centre (“LRC”) are extremely concerned about the Department of Basic Education’s (“DBE”) amended regulations relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure (“School Infrastructure Regulations”). These Regulations, published in the Government Gazette on 27 June 2024, dilute critical obligations previously placed on the DBE and provincial education departments (“PEDs”) to make urgent and

adequate provision for infrastructure at public schools. The amendments are a regressive measure that demonstrates a shift from ensuring equality in education, especially to Black learners and learners from rural and low-income areas.

These School Infrastructure Regulations, first published in 2013 after a hard-won victory secured by EE’s high school learner members, were specifically designed to provide a set of minimum standards for infrastructure that all public schools were required to adhere to in order to function safely and properly.

Although imperfect, the DBE’s initial 2013 School Infrastructure Regulations provided clear deadlines (November 2016, 2020, 2023 and 2030) indicating by when public schools had to be provided with basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, classrooms, toilets, and fencing, among others. It also required that all schools made of inappropriate materials like mud, asbestos, metal or wood be fixed by November

These Regulations were therefore a powerful tool through which school communities could hold the DBE and PEDs accountable, particularly when they failed to meet these deadlines.

On 28 May 2024, a day before the elections, the DBE published revised School Infrastructure Regulations, which removed most deadlines and merely obliged PEDs to submit detailed plans on the implementation of their infrastructure programmes 90 days after the beginning of the financial year, and “end of year evaluation reports” on the progress of their implementation programmes 60 days after the end of each

financial year. Each of these reports were meant to be made available on the DBE and relevant PEDs websites for public access. While this signalled a clear dilution of responsibility, the revised School Infrastructure Regulations did include two important timeframes:

All schools with no access to power supply, water supply or sanitation had to be addressed within 18 months of the publication of the regulations, and;
All schools had to receive perimeter fencing within 12 months of the publication of the regulations.

In addition, the needs of schools with insufficient classrooms had to be addressed and reviewed annually.

These revised Regulations were withdrawn days later, with no formal justification publicly provided by the DBE. However, the DBE stated in a letter to the EELC that “the withdrawal of the document published by the DBE in the Government Gazette on 28 May 2024 was due to an administrative error, in that a wrong version was uploaded. Unfortunately, the process of re-gazetting the correct version had to comply with the Government Printing Works processes”.

On 27 June 2024, the DBE once again published revised School Infrastructure Regulations. Tragically, all deadlines by when the School Infrastructure Regulations must be met have now been removed. As seen in the first set of revisions, PEDs are merely obliged to ensure that school infrastructure projects are included in their plans within one year, that plans are published 90 days after the beginning of the

financial year, and that “end of year evaluation reports” are published 60 days after the end of the financial year. The only exception remains that of schools with insufficient classrooms whose needs must be addressed and reviewed annually.

These revisions are wholly inadequate. They permit PEDs to use their own discretion to determine how school infrastructure projects should be prioritised, and by when they should be completed. This is extremely problematic given their lack of urgency in addressing infrastructure backlogs. According to the DBE’s most recent Education Facility Management data, dated August 2023, 728 schools still only use plain pit toilets, over 16 700 schools do not have libraries, and more than 18 600 schools still do not have science laboratories.

Considering the severe infrastructure backlogs that continue to plague public schools, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, we are concerned that the revised School Infrastructure Regulations are retrogressive and will only exacerbate already-existing backlogs. It is therefore crucial that our new Minister for Basic Education, Minister Siviwe Gwarube, prioritise school infrastructure and urgently fix these Regulations, by providing clear and reasonable deadlines and ensuring that the DBE’s oversight role is highlighted and strengthened in them. Now, more than ever, civil society must also carefully monitor infrastructure progress at public schools and ensure that school infrastructure remains a priority for our new government if all learners are to learn in dignified and safe school environments.

[END]

For media enquiries, please contact the following:

Equal Education:

Sesethu August (Equal Education Communications Officer)

Email: sesethu@equaleducation.org.za

WhatsApp: 083 890 8723

Call: 063 221 7983

SECTION27:

Pearl Nicodemus

Email: nicodemus@section27.org.za

Cell: 082 298 2636

Equal Education Law Centre:

Jay-Dee Booysen (EELC Media and Communications Specialist)

Email: jay-dee@eelawcentre.org.za

Cell: 082 924 1352

Legal Resources Centre:

Kimal Harvey Kristen Abrahams

Email: kimal@lrc.org.za

Cell: 082 338 4118

The post Joint statement: Civil society calls on new Minister of Basic Education to fix the School Infrastructure Regulations to ensure children’s safety in public schools appeared first on Equal Education.

The post Joint statement: Civil society calls on new Minister of Basic Education to fix the School Infrastructure Regulations to ensure children’s safety in public schools appeared first on Vuka News.

Equal Education (EE) strongly condemns the nomination of corruption-accused Ncediso Goodenough “Zizi” Kodwa to serve as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. We have written to ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli to register our concerns and to call on the African National Congress (ANC) to immediately withdraw the nomination of Zizi Kodwa to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, and initiate the necessary processes to remove him as a member of parliament (MP). The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, as Kodwa’s nomination is an insult to the learners in South Africa who rely on effective legislative oversight to guarantee the provision of quality education. 

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education exercises fundamental functions in relation to the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Given its significant responsibilities in scrutinising the DBE’s strategic plan and overseeing the appropriate spending of the department’s budget, it is incomprehensible that an individual currently out on bail for corruption charges has been entrusted with this role. 

It would be an indictment on the ANC to overlook the significant scandal that has marred Kodwa’s career. He currently faces serious corruption charges relating to allegations that he received more than R1.7 million in bribes linked to influencing the awarding of government contracts. These charges raise grave concerns about his suitability for this role in the national legislature​. The importance of ethical governance and the highest levels of integrity cannot be overstated for a role that demands such commitment, as outlined in Parliament’s own Code of Ethical Conduct. 

In addition, the ANC’s step-aside resolution which was intended to address issues of corruption and maintain the integrity of the party is not achieving its main objective. The party’s 2022 “Terms and Conditions” document outlines the circumstances under which the step-aside resolution would apply. The resolution mandates that members facing serious allegations voluntarily step aside from positions of authority and ordinary public representatives such as MPs affected by the resolution be allowed to attend and vote in sittings of councils, parliament and its oversight committee meetings. However, it limits their participation to attendance and voting as they would not be allowed to speak on behalf of the ANC during such sittings. Kodwa’s position on the basic education committee raises serious concerns about the efficacy of this resolution and its impact on the credibility of parliamentary oversight roles.

In the context of the new Government of National Unity (GNU), where the new Minister of Basic Education is a deployee from the Democratic Alliance, the ANC holds significant oversight responsibilities. It is crucial that individuals fill these roles with unblemished records. This is especially important given that the heightened oversight duties demand a level of scrutiny and ethical governance that Kodwa’s record does not support.

In addition, the vast majority of the committee’s members, including the chairperson, are new to the education committee. Kodwa’s relative seniority, coupled with his tainted track record, risks exerting a negative influence on the committee. The importance of having members who are free from past ethical issues cannot be overstated, as they are role models for integrity and dedication to accountable public service.

When MPs are shrouded with a record of controversial behaviour, it not only shakes the public’s confidence in Parliament but also taints the very integrity of this institution. As such, we are convinced that Kodwa is unfit to exercise his mandate as a member of Parliament, and as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. 

As a youth-led social movement advocating for quality and equality in the public education system, we cannot stand by as the ANC appoints an individual whose actions undermine the very functions he is entrusted with as a member of such a critical committee in the National Assembly. We call on the ANC to act swiftly on this matter in the best interests of all members of the school community, and to uphold the integrity of legislative oversight. 

For further comment: 

Sesethu August ( Communication’s Officer)

Contact: 063 221 7983/ WhatsApp @ 0838908723

The post Media Statement: Equal Education writes to ANC Chief Whip calling for the withdrawal of education committee member Zizi Kodwa appeared first on Equal Education.

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The post Eastern Cape Community Leader appeared first on Equal Education.

[Job Opportunity] Community Leader (Eastern Cape)

We’re seeking a dedicated individual to join our team as a Community Leader in the Eastern Cape. If you’re passionate about promoting democracy, social justice, equality, intersectionality, and human rights, we encourage you to apply.

Application deadline: July 3, 2024

We look forward to hearing from you

For more information and to submit your application, please follow the link: https://equaleducation.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-CL-final-advert-1-1.pdf

The post Eastern Cape Community Leader appeared first on Vuka News.

Joint media statement: Victory for all out-of-school learners in the Metro East Education District as the Western Cape High Court orders the Western Cape Education Department to place learners within 10 days

#SofundaSonke

On Friday 17 May, the Western Cape High Court ordered that the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) place all learners, who on their own or through their parent or guardian made an application to a school in the Metro East Education District (MEED), or approached the MEED or a school for placement for the 2024 school year. The court has ordered that the WCED must place these learners, who have sadly missed close to two terms of schooling, within ten days of its order. All unplaced learners in the MEED will finally be admitted to school as a result of this court order! This order symbolises a hard-won victory by Equal Education (EE), and the five parents/caregivers (co-applicants) and their children who were represented by the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC), as well as a number of similarly placed learners. This is a victory within a system which has sadly left many learners waiting for school places, without any clear plan or timelines – often well into the school year.

The WCED has been avoiding its obligation to meaningfully place learners by counting them as “placed” once they receive an automatic notification of placement through its online system. This despite the fact that many learners, parents and caregivers whom EE and the EELC engaged with did either not receive the alleged notification or were turned away by schools, and as a result, had been waiting for months at home to be enrolled in a school. Significantly, the High Court has now given a definition for the term “placement” and has ordered the WCED to ensure that learners are formally enrolled, have received placement letters, and that they may physically attend an appropriate school (or education facility, where applicable). This order is aimed at ensuring that all learners are meaningfully placed and that their right to education is finally realised.

Learner placement in the Western Cape has been a long-standing systemic issue that the WCED fails to adequately plan for year after year. It is our joint hope that this order which was as a result of urgent proceedings brought on 11 April 2024, against the Western Cape Government and the Department of Basic Education for the immediate placement of unplaced learners in schools in the Western Cape’s MEED will play a crucial part in continuing to address this admissions crisis.

In part A of the application, we also sought an order for catch-up and remedial plans for these learners, in particular for those placed in March or later, in an attempt to ensure they meet the academic requirements for 2024. Unfortunately, these orders have been refused as the WCED indicated that assessments would be done by schools ‘in the ordinary course’ and that they would meet their legislative obligations – an undertaking which the court accepted and which we will actively be monitoring! We hope that the WCED will honour its own policies, by ensuring that learners are provided with adequate support for the learning losses.

The Western Cape Government who concerningly sought cost orders, personally, against the EELC legal practitioners who work on the matter, have been ordered to pay the cost of the application including the cost of their counsel team.

Part B of our application will proceed on a semi-urgent basis. It focuses on the WCED’s policy failure to address late applications and the extent to which it unfairly discriminates against late applicants based on race, poverty level, place of birth, and social origin. It also seeks an order declaring the WCED’s failure to timeously place late applicant learners in schools unconstitutional, and as a result, the WCED’s Admission policy and some of the WCED’s Admission policy circulars should be set aside because they permit late applicants to remain unplaced for an indefinite period, with no clarity on the way forward. Our work towards ensuring that the right to basic education is indeed enjoyed by “everyone”, continues. The right to education is not and should not be a numbers game, but rather the prioritisation of access to “ALL”.

EE and the EELC will monitor the implementation of this court order and ensure that affected learners are meaningfully placed and able to access education. We remain resolute in ensuring the rights of every learner in the Western Cape are protected. No learner should be left behind! #SofundaSonke

[END]

To arrange a media interview, contact:

• Sesethu August (Equal Education Communications Officer) sesethu@equaleducation.org.za WhatsApp: 083 890 8723 or Call: 063 221 7983

• Jay-Dee Booysen (Equal Education Law Centre Media and Communications Specialist) jay-dee@eelawcentre.org.za or 082 924 1352

The post Joint media statement: Victory for all out-of-school learners in the Metro East Education District as the Western Cape High Court orders the Western Cape Education Department to place learners within 10 days appeared first on Vuka News.

#YouthPowerBeyondTheBallot

Equal Education (EE) is disappointed by the lack of urgency displayed by government officials from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Presidency by ignoring the memorandum of demands handed over by 3,000 Equalisers (EE learner members) at our march to Parliament on 10 May. Government officials publicly assured learners that a response would be provided within three working days (Wednesday 15 May). As of today—five working days later—government has failed to deliver on this promise. This is disappointing as one of the key steps in prioritising and realising equal and quality education is strengthening accountability and transparency. It is disheartening that the impassioned demands of learners to address the crises in the basic education sector are yet again met with indifference and a lack of urgency. 

In a society where education is often heralded as the cornerstone of progress and prosperity, the role of government in ensuring universal access to quality education cannot be overstated. Therefore, learners —limited by age to participate in democratic processes such as voting—marched to Parliament to share their lived experiences, highlight the barriers to accessing education that exist in under-resourced schools, and sound a call for these to be urgently addressed. Each of the demands emphasises the need for government to be transparent and to include accountability mechanisms that capacitate the public to hold it accountable. Government’s silence in response to those learners experiencing the consequences of its failures only emphasises its lack of accountability and political will. 

The tendency for government to make commitments and neglect to act, or inadequately respond to them, is not new. In numerous instances, EE has underscored that crucial information regarding education spending, infrastructure development plans, and progress on the implementation of key policies remains inaccessible to the public. For instance, progress on infrastructure delivery reports are often released late or not released at all, and neglect to include all required information. This is despite a legal duty to report on key elements related to their progress. EE has therefore repeatedly been left to pursue formal routes such as the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) requests to obtain information that should have already been publicly available. Even so, these requests are met with a lack of urgency and disregard for deadlines outlined in the PAIA Act. Our most recent PAIA request to the DBE was made on 11 March 2024, more than 60 days later, we have yet to receive the information requested.  This lack of transparency not only hinders meaningful public participation in education-related matters but also undermines the accountability of government to the very individuals it is obligated to serve—the learners.

Moreover, the lack of accountability fosters a culture where government officials may prioritise political agendas—particularly in the build-up to the national election—over the educational needs of learners and the broader school community. These actions not only undermine the integrity of the sector but also perpetuate cycles of inequality and marginalisation, disproportionately affecting vulnerable black communities.

Transparency and accountability are essential pillars of a functioning democracy and a just society. In the context of education, they are indispensable for ensuring that every learner, regardless of socio-economic background or geographic location, can access and benefit from quality education. EE demands that the government—at the very least—responds to demands made by Equalisers in a manner that matches the commitment that these learners have shown to ensure that all current learners and future generations will have access to equal and quality education. 

[END] 

To arrange an interview:

Sesethu August (Equal Education Communications Officer) sesethu@equaleducation.org.za or 

WhatsApp 083 890 8723 / Call 063 221 7983

The post Media statement: Equal Education disappointed by another display of a lack of accountability and transparency by government in prioritising and protecting the right to education appeared first on Vuka News.

#YouthPowerBeyondTheBallot

On Friday 10 May 2024, Equal Education (EE) Equalisers (learner members of EE) will lead a march to Parliament to demand the prioritisation and realisation of equal and quality education for all learners in the lead-up to the national elections. This is a call to action from learners—who are under 18 —to actively participate in democracy and voice their concerns and aspirations for basic education. In this important political moment, learners will raise their voices and re-state their demands to the current government and to those who aspire to hold roles in the new government. This is a reminder of their duty to take action, protect the constitutional rights of all learners and lead this democracy based on the will of the people. 

Thirty years into democracy, our education system remains grossly unequal, with countless, predominantly black learners—particularly in rural and township schools—perpetually struggling to access quality education and forced to learn in overburdened, undignified and dangerous schooling environments. As a nation preparing for elections, we cannot afford to neglect the widespread and devastating issues affecting the basic education sector. The present state of education demands spirited collective action and the political urgency of government—in fulfilling their constitutional obligations towards learners—to secure a better future for our country.

At the march, Equalisers will hand over a memorandum addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the MECs of five provincial education departments (PEDs), the Premier of the Western Cape, and several political parties. This memorandum will articulate the priorities and demands we have set out for the current and incoming government as we work towards an equal and just education for all learners. We demand that government address the following: 

• Education funding – Austerity measures are further depriving learners of their right to education. When taking inflation into account, per-learner spending on basic education has decreased every year since 2019, robbing learners of adequate infrastructure, sufficient teachers, learner transport, and other critical resources. Addressing these difficult conditions requires a concerted effort to prioritise education spending, implement progressive policies, and ensure that all children have equal access to quality learning opportunities, regardless of their socio-economic status. It also requires that deliberate action is taken to root out corruption from the system; this means a commitment to transparency and accountability, so that every cent spent on basic education reaches its intended beneficiaries.
• The national school infrastructure crisis – It has been more than a decade since the Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure (school infrastructure law) was made into law. Yet, thousands of schools across the country still do not meet the basic requirements of a dignified learning environment. While the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and PEDs fail to meet these legal deadlines, learners risk their lives daily attending schools with dangerous plain pit toilets, overcrowded and dilapidated classrooms, unreliable water supplies, and no libraries, science labs, or sports facilities. EE demands the immediate intervention of all political leaders to direct that relevant departmental officials ensure that education infrastructure is provided urgently and transparently.
• Procurement and implementing agents – PEDs appoint implementing agents (IAs) as middlemen to oversee the delivery of large infrastructure projects. These procurement processes have been fraught with problems of financial mismanagement, corruption, slow delivery, and failed consequence management. The money that is spent is wasted and the conditions in our schools remain the same. EE demands that PEDs commit to systems for transparency and strong oversight over procurement processes, particularly where IAs are involved. 
• Overcrowding in schools – Overcrowding in under-resourced schools deeply impacts the quality of education as well as the attitude, attendance, and motivation of learners and teachers. EE members have campaigned for schools to be equitably resourced so that more schools and classrooms are built, sufficient teachers are employed, and class sizes are reduced. EE demands that PEDs adopt proactive plans that address the growing crisis of overcrowded schools across the country.
• The school admissions crisis – Every year sees a predictable increase in enrolment numbers in schools—particularly in the Western Cape and Gauteng—yet parents and caregivers are often left scrambling for places even after the school year has started for various reasons beyond their control. For years, EE has highlighted the systemic factors that contribute to learners not being placed in school on time, including that parents and caregivers face challenges with the online system from the onset of the application process. These learners are denied their basic right to education. EE demands that political leadership and education MECs do what it takes to ensure that every learner is placed in a suitable school with enough teachers and infrastructure for all the learners in their provinces. 
• The safety of learners – Many learners are not safe in their schools. Threats to school safety manifest in various forms. Learners are exposed to trauma, violence, and insecurity, compromising their constitutional rights to basic education, equality, life, dignity, security, and access to essential healthcare and social services. For 10 years, Equalisers have campaigned for safe schools and have identified four pillars of school safety that require the government’s urgent attention: physical security infrastructure in line with the school infrastructure law, functional school safety committees, adequate psychosocial support, and knowledge and use of existing safety policies and interventions.
• The reading crisis  – The 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study results revealed that 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning in any language, including their home languages. Many learners, mostly in rural and township communities, attend schools that do not have the requisite teaching and learning resources that are fundamental to mastering foundational skills such as reading. Shockingly, as of August 2023, 70% of public schools do not have libraries, and a third of those that do, are not stocked. EE demands that the DBE provide every school with a library, as per the school infrastructure law. The November 2023 deadline to implement these changes has been missed, and the DBE must publish binding timelines for delivery and source adequate funding for this provision.
• Education as a public good – As the public education system continues to battle unfavourable economic conditions amid Treasury’s austerity agenda, there is a growing dependence on private funding through school fees and donors, exacerbating the disparities between rich and poor schools. The prioritisation of private actor voices threatens the vision of democratic school governance, as is evident in the introduction of collaboration and donor-funded schools in the Western Cape. EE demands that education be upheld as a public good and that government, particularly the DBE and PEDs, prevent private interests from deepening existing education inequality. 

The demands of Equalisers are not born out of mere discontent, but rather from 16 years of youth led activism and a deep-seated commitment to a just and inclusive education system that empowers every learner and serves as a catalyst for social transformation. These demands are rooted in the principles of justice, equity, transparency, and accountability. As we get ready to take our demands to Parliament, we call upon government to heed our collective call for the prioritisation of education! EE remains committed to building youth power beyond the ballot and to continue contributing to building state capacity. 

As we march, we carry in our spirits the millions of children who have been displaced, who have been out of formal schooling, who are food and water insecure and are mourning the loss of their families and communities. EE remains in solidarity with the children and young people of Palestine, Congo and Sudan. We call for a ceasefire in Palestine, for all nations to stop supporting Israel and for immediate humanitarian aid for our people, especially children and our mothers. EE continues to call for an end to the Israeli occupation in Palestine. We are not free until the children of Palestine, Congo and Sudan are free! 

Date: Friday 10 May 2024

Time: 2:00 pm 

Place: Keizersgracht Street to Parliament, Cape Town 

[END] 

To arrange an interview:

Sesethu August (Equal Education Communications Officer) sesethu@equaleducation.org.za or 

WhatsApp 083 890 8723 / Call 063 221 7983

Kimberley Khumalo (Equal Education Researcher) kimberely@equaleducation.org.za or Whatsapp/call 079 077 0590

Itumeleng Mothlabane (Equal Education Head of the Eastern Cape ) itu@equaleducation.org.za or Whatsapp /call 078 110 6428

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