More than 8 million pupils exempt from paying fees
More than eight million pupils are exempted from paying school fees in South Africa, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.
"It is our strong view that poverty must not prevent South African children from gaining an education," Zuma said in a speech prepared for delivery at the national teaching awards gala dinner in Boksburg, on the East Rand.
He said education was a ladder out of poverty for many children who came from poor households.
In addition nine million children received free meals at schools, Zuma said.
"To date more than 370 new schools have been built by government and this major infrastructure development programme continues."
-Sapa