National Assembly to debate state of SA’s education system

The debate, which was requested by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), follows the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that public schools would be closed for four weeks in August while the country battles the peak of Covid-19.

At the same time Cope has slammed the government for allowing independent schools to continue teaching in August, while public schools will need to close their doors.

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“Twenty-six years into our democracy and we are still having two separate basic education systems. It is a total disgrace and insult to the majority of people in this country. That is why we are saying it is long overdue for this debate to happen,” says spokesperson Denis Bloem. 

“Parliament must correct this situation. You can't have a private school that is still opening and continuing with education and public schools are closed. It shows the inequality in this county and it can't continue to go on."

National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise has granted a request by the IFP to debate the current state of education in the country. 

It is set to take place next month.