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Young Communist League demands free education
By CEDRIC MBOYISA
JOHANNESBURG – By 2008, no pupil will pay a cent to get to a public school and pupils will no longer be taught under trees.
That is if all goes according to the wishes of the Young Communist League of South Africa (YCL).
“Our country has enough resources for this to become a reality. It is a question of putting priorities right, said YCL national secretary Buti Manamela.
“There are financial resources that are being wasted in mega infrastructures, such as Gautrain, Coega and the Dube Trade port, that have no impact on the poor and destitute.”
In addition the league is calling for a homogeneous uniform in schools across the country.
“The uniform standardisation will boost local textile industry and ensure affordability,” Manamela said.
He said there was a crisis in education, and vowed his organisation would not budge until every child had access to free education.
More emphasis ought to be put on improving public schools, and teachers’ salaries were an insult and disrespectful. That was why some headed for the private sector.
The young Reds will ask for a meeting with Education Minister Naledi Pandor to discuss the way forward. – cedricm@citizen.co.za
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