IEB ‘wants poor to subsidise the rich’ – Lesufi slams court case against Umalusi

Lesufi says the IEB has approached the courts, claiming it cannot afford to pay for the assessment service offered by the quality assurance council Umalusi.

“They are basically arguing that the public purse must pay for the rich as well as their clients in other countries like Mozambique, Namibia and eSwatini.

“In their papers, they argue that they were not given sufficient time to budget for what they term a 2007 policy. IEB collects fees from their rich member schools who in turn charge parents humongous schools fees.

 IEB must find means to pay for the services rendered by Umalusi,” says Lesufi.

He says if their court bid succeeded, pupils from rural areas and townships would have to subsidize the rich.

“The board even has the audacity to go to court where they seek to enforce this bizarre demand. Ostensibly their court action, if successful, will mean that learners from rural areas and townships will heavily subsidise the rich learners in our country.

“Essentially that means the inequalities will grow even wider as the poor will fund the rich some of whom are not even living within the borders of Mzansi.

“IEB calls itself a non-profit making organisation, but what is strange is that it conducts its affairs as though it is a private company which refuses to disclose information regarding its business.”

Listen to Panyaza Lesufi below:

He believes Umalusi should not to allow itself to be dictated to by an independent body.

“If IEB doesn’t want to pay for the services rendered by Umalusi let them disaffiliate from Umalusi. IEB is a body that is refusing to transform or be transparent in their work. The time for freebies is over they must withdraw the court case and pay for services that will ensure quality education for all,” he says.

“The IEB must find other ways to fund their activities or cease to exist.”

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