Every generation has its struggle. Today, South Africa’s learners face enormous challenges as they try to access and enjoy their constitutionally protected right to a basic education. One of the main challenges they face is the unequal standard of schools around the country.
Currently, there is no definition of what a school is or what physical resources it needs. Because of this 395 mud structures in the Eastern Cape can be called schools. Elsewhere in the country, almost 3,600 schools are without electricity. In KwaZulu Natal alone there are over 600 schools have no toilet facilities and 92% of South Africa’s schools do not have a functioning library.
South Africa’s learners face enormous challenges as they try to access and enjoy their constitutionally protected right to a basic education.
The right to a basic education cannot be seen as separate from the conditions under which learners are taught. Equal Education has campaigned for two years, in an attempt to work with government, in order to see minimum norms and standards for school infrastructure set for South African schools. After petitioning, picketing, fasting, sleeping outside of Parliament and protesting EE took the decision this year to institute legal action against the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga.
The Minister has filed a notice that she intends to oppose the application that would force her to set the minimum norms and standards. Without a uniform standard across the country South Africa’s education system, and the learners it produces, will continue to be defined by historical inequality. The court papers, supporting affidavits and response from the Minister can be found on our website at http://www.equaleducation.org.za/courtpapers.
For more information please contact Yoliswa Dwane at yoliswa@equaleducation.org.za or Kate Wilkinson at kate.wilkinson@equaleducation.org.za
Tags: Activism, Minorities, Research & quality
