DEAR Editor,-
Our present government puts on a good show at rallies and marches and at any given opportunity to speak out against the abuse of the nation’s children. Yet the present education system is the biggest abuse of children I have seen.
President Zuma actually got applause for the pass rate in our schools! A pass rate, which is just a figure, is appalling, considering the dropped standards and shocking education the majority of our children are subjected to. Too many children sit at their desks with no teacher in front of them (teachers are at his/her ‘second job’).
The children must fend for themselves while the headmaster is ‘running his taxi business’, and there is no discipline in the school. Children leave our schools as young adults barely able to read and write, use a computer or add up a row of figures. If they are unable to find employment, they are reduced to having babies to get access to child grants (if female), or somehow scrounge a few rands from other social grants.
The ANC has reduced our country to a nation of beggars and they are applauded in Parliament. We should rather hang our heads in shame. Unless you are part of the lucky few able to send your children to decent schools with dedicated teachers, your children will suffer. Where are our teachers’ training colleges? There are too few teachers who realise the importance of their work – educating the future leaders of our country.
STEPHANIE BREEDT
Leisure Bay
