Friday, 23 May

Declaration

Honourable Chairperson

The African National Congress supports the report of the Portfolio Committee on its oversight visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Education Department.

As the ANC, we are encouraged by the strides made at schools like Gugulesizwe Senior Secondary School, where a thriving food garden initiative is being used to supplement learner nutrition and support afternoon classes. This, combined with the school’s high academic performance, is testament to what is possible when communities, learners and schools work together. We also commend Harding Special School, which, despite extremely difficult conditions, continues to offer comprehensive education to learners with disabilities, autism and cerebral palsy. We also commend the strides of Stanger LSEN Training Centre in their efforts to leverage public-private partnerships and community support to foster inclusive education and vocational training.

Honourable Members,

These inroads to the education sector did not occur out of a vacuum. They are reflective of the ongoing efforts of our government, educators, learners, civil society and private sector investment towards realizing the vision of the Freedom Charter in ensuring that all doors to education are open. These are the democratic gains of the past 30 years that we must all jealously guard and continue to collectively advance in ensuring that every child is given equitable opportunities to realise their full potential.

Honourable House Chair,

As the ANC, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that education remains an instrument for development and transformation. That education is accessible to all as a tool for personal development and social mobility.

It is against this background that the ANC support the committee’s recommendations to modernise the education sector, address overcrowding, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence. We support the recommendations for greater support for special schools and combating social ills, such as bullying and substance abuse, that continue to plague our communities and to rob our learners’ potential.

Honourable House Chair,

The ANC also affirms its commitment to the full and successful implementation of the BELA Act as a transformative instrument for breaking historical barriers to access and academic success. In this regard, the BELA Act must be appreciated for what it really is, a mechanism to redress structural and systematic inequalities in education that have far too long undermined our efforts to social cohesion and nation building.

Honourable Members,

Access to quality education cannot be treated like a privilege for a select minority. It is a constitutional right and a developmental imperative, and therefore, no child must be denied an opportunity to realise their potential because of poverty, their race, or disability.

It is through these strides and collective efforts that we can achieve a more just, inclusive and prosperous South Africa.

Thank you.