Gwarube pledges to eradicate pit toilets, transform education system
New Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has pledged to eliminate pit latrine toilets in schools and enhance literacy rates.
Gwarube, one of the six DA members who secured positions in the new national unity cabinet, succeeds Angie Motshekga, who held the position for thirteen years.
Speaking to SABC News outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Gwarube said she is ready to hit the ground running.
"On a more personal level, there are certain things that I want to prioritise, issues around literacy and numeracy. We know some of the worrying statistics around Grade 4 learners. We want to make sure that this is rectified as soon as possible.
"And on a more personal note as well, pit latrines. I am going to be the pain for the DG to ensure that pit latrines are eradicated in South Africa. It cannot be that 30 years into democracy, there are still children who are dying in pit latrines.
"And then lastly, I think the issue around the curriculum review. We understand the issue has not been reviewed in a holistic manner for a long time and that the system that is in place dates back to 1996. There are pieces of legislation and regulations here and there that seeks to rectify certain things, but I think with the experts and stakeholders, we need to look at how do we overhold the system.”
The 34-year-old former DA Parliamentary chief whip becomes the youngest person to be appointed basic education minister.
Her appointment has, however, drawn the ire of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU).
On Tuesday, Gwarube posted on X thanking well-wishers, adding that being appointed as the minister of basic education was a massive responsibility - and one she does not take lightly.
"Thank you all for the well- wishes! Being appointed the Minister of Basic Education is a massive responsibility that I do not take lightly.
"The future of the country rests on how well this department that I lead does its work.
"I’m using this time to meet with the Deputy Minister @ReginahMhaule and the DG to get a full grasp on the urgent matters on my desk.
"These two are critical to the work that must be done. I am itching to get stuck in, and will soon outline my key priorities for the @DBE_SA.
"With the myriads of challenges the sector faces, I want to make sure we put learners at the centre of all that we do, "wrote Gwarube.
The DA has been a vocal opponent of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, which proposes several changes to the South African Schools Act, including the transfer of control to the education department in determining a school's language policy and curriculums.
The party believes the bill is an attack on mother tongue education.
The controversial bill was passed by Parliament earlier this year but is yet to be signed into law.
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