With many remembering what the youth fought for during the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976 – what is now know as Youth Day – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC Khume Ramulifho said South Africa still has ‘a long way to go’ before education will be fair and equal to all.
“The biggest challenge we face today is balancing and promoting all official languages equally,” he said.
Ramulifho believes the public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), “does not promote all languages equally and fairly”,and South Africa’s diversity is not being enjoyed at its fullest level.
According to the SABC, its Chief Operating Officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, said in April that the broadcaster is set to introduce language-based channels to cater for the diverse nature of South Africa after receiving complaints of a lack of lingual and cultural representation.
Ramulifho is also concerned about the lack of opportunities available for young people.
“We need to tap into pupil’s creative ideas and provide them with opportunities. They need to be spoiled for choice and their talents nurtured,” he said.
But the Gauteng Department of Education has seen change of late.
Under the leadership of Panyaza Lesufi, the Gauteng MEC for Education, an online registration system was introduced for parents to register their children, who will be in grade one or eight in 2017, on the online platform. He also recently said that from next year, all grade one pupils will have the option of being taught in an African language.
Details: Gauteng Department of Education 011 355 0000 or gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za.
Related articles:
Free higher education may be on the cards, as President Zuma appoints commission
Department of Education believes twinning programme will transform education system
