Minister
Motshekga, where are our Minimum Norms and Standards?
SAY-I-CAN
says that “enough is enough”
Three years ago, in 2008, we were assured
by former Minister of Basic Education Naledi Pandor that “These norms and
standards [for Basic School Infrastructure] will be fully adopted by the end of
2009.” In a court settlement reached with lobby group Equal Education, current
Minister Angie Motshekga agreed to “make and promulgate regulations which
prescribe minimum uniform norms and standards for school infrastructure […] on
or before 15 may 2013”. Minister Motshekga, how long must we wait for Norms and
Standards? Minister Motshekga, how long must the children of South Africa be
taught without the basic infrastructure that they need?
SAY-I-CAN (the Southern African Youth
Inter-Councils Action Network) refuses to accept the delays in implementing
this bill – a bill that would allow us to tackle head-on the fact that 46% of SA schools are using pit-latrines, 93% have no
libraries, 90% have no computer centres and 95% have no science labs. It is for
this reason that SAY-I-CAN took to the streets across South Africa on June 16
to demand immediate implementation of the Minimum Norms and Standards for Basic
School Infrastructure Bill. Two marches were held – a Joburg march, organised
and run by SAY-I-CAN member council the Johannesburg
Junior Council, as well as a Durban march, organised by the Durban Youth
Council, which is also a member of SAY-I-CAN. Both marches attracted hundreds
of students who marched in the footsteps of those 176 children who died in 1976
demanding quality and equality in South African education. We cannot forget
those who died fighting for decent South African education – we cannot forget
their sacrifices for a struggle that has not truly been won.
In the JJC’s Johannesburg march, five hundred students from across the city marched from
Newtown Park to Constitutional Hill. Marching across Nelson Mandela Bridge, we
took a moment to wish Tata Madiba the best of luck in his recovery and sang the
national anthem. Our placards and our chants demanded “an equal education for
an equal nation”, because “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
When the students arrived at the
Constitutional Hill courtyard, the JJC had many entertaining performances lined
up in the form of a traditional dance, marimba players and gumboot dancing from
Masibambane College. We had an enlightening speech from Brad Brockman, the
General Secretary of Equal Education, an inspiring poem from a JJC councillor
Refilwe Motsoeneng and a JJC councillor Kylie Mohamed led the singing of the
national anthem. Addresses were also given by Thomas Ditchfield (the Mayor of
the JJC), Lebo Thulare (the Chairperson of the JJC’s Advocacy Committee) and Ruby
Chikwiri (the Deputy Chairperson of the committee).
SAY-I-CAN and its councils are for the
youth and by the youth in our fight to mobilise the youth of SA and destroy the
misconception that our generation is characterised by apathy.
Minister Motshekga, labelling EE as
racist is not an adequate response to the education crisis in our country.
Minster Motshekga, we need a real solution to the basic school infrastructure
shortage that is crippling our potentially great nation.
To get involved, you can sign our
petition demanding Minimum Norms and Standards for Basic School Infrastructure
at https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/SAYICAN_quality_and_equality_in_South_African_education/.