On Monday morning when most children are safely at school, ready for a new school week, some local school children were feeling the strains of what the government calls “budgetary constraints”.
In Rensburgdrift learners and their parents staged a protest march. They say they are tired of walking up to 30 kilometres to and from the nearest school. Some parents are forking out more than R300 per month per child for transport.
They showed their discontent by thumping their fists on passing vehicles and obstructing traffic, their message was clear “give us scholar transport.”
The Education Department spokesperson says “budgetary constraints” means that these children may not acquire scholar transport in this financial year.
At the gates of Estcourt Primary School, angry parents demand that the Superintendent of Education – Management (SEM) address them after they were told there was no space for their children at the school.
Despite registering and buying the required stationery and uniform requirements, the parents were told that classrooms were filled to capacity.
Again the Education Department spokesperson says that a lack of resources is a contributing factor.
Isn’t it time that an investment is made in our children’s future?