Education Budget Speech by Lance Greyling
2006-05-19. The Independent Democrats believes that we urgently need to bridge the enormous divides in South Africa. In the long term, education is the greatest weapon that we have in our arsenal to achieve this goal, but unfortunately our education system still in many ways mirrors the inequalities in our society. We have to bridge the educational divide now if we are going to have any hope of bridging the country’s divides in the future.
The Independent Democrats favours an
inclusive education mindset. Inclusive education is often seen as an
add-on to the education system, a way of bringing people with
disabilities into the system. ID, however, believes that this mindset
needs to change and inclusive education needs to be seen as a way of
transforming the education system so that all barriers to education are
removed. Every child in South Africa has an absolute right to education
and we need to ensure that there are no barriers preventing that right
from being realised. The Independent Democrats therefore supports the
government’s introduction of no fee schools as a step in the right
direction. However, there are other barriers besides school fees that
are preventing children from achieving a quality education. Costs such
as transport, uniforms, textbooks, lack of nutrition, HIV/AIDS and
disabilities all pose significant educational barriers to many children
in South Africa. We need to ensure that our education system is geared
towards addressing all of these barriers. A possible solution would be
the introduction of a child education grant.
The ID therefore also welcomes the four point plan that was developed by the Committee for Inclusive Education in KwaZulu Natal that looks at the issue of providing education for children living on the street. It is clear that our society has a number of unique problems which require creative solutions - the four point plan is one of them and should be implemented throughout South Africa.
The ID also welcomes the fact that greater emphasis is being placed on the provision of infrastructure. I know that the Minister gave an undertaking to the President that no child will be taught under trees any more, but I can tell you that there are, sadly, still schools in dilapidated mud structures with no electricity or water. This is a challenge we have to redouble our efforts in overcoming.
Finally, the ID would also strongly advocate the provision of libraries at all our schools, particularly those in economically depressed areas. Children have to be given access to books if they are to have any chance at achieving a quality education.
What the class of '76 and the class of 2006 need is action now!
The ID therefore also welcomes the four point plan that was developed by the Committee for Inclusive Education in KwaZulu Natal that looks at the issue of providing education for children living on the street. It is clear that our society has a number of unique problems which require creative solutions - the four point plan is one of them and should be implemented throughout South Africa.
The ID also welcomes the fact that greater emphasis is being placed on the provision of infrastructure. I know that the Minister gave an undertaking to the President that no child will be taught under trees any more, but I can tell you that there are, sadly, still schools in dilapidated mud structures with no electricity or water. This is a challenge we have to redouble our efforts in overcoming.
Finally, the ID would also strongly advocate the provision of libraries at all our schools, particularly those in economically depressed areas. Children have to be given access to books if they are to have any chance at achieving a quality education.
What the class of '76 and the class of 2006 need is action now!
