MINISTER of Basic Education Angie Motshekga must go.
This is the call by Build One South Africa (Bosa).
Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane said Motshekga has failed dismally in delivering quality, equitable education as the Department of Basic Education (DBE) continually fails to equip young people to compete and win in the global economy, let alone simply survive locally.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa must prioritise the future of the nation’s youth, and to do so by removing Minister Motshekga after over 5 300 days as Minister of Basic Education."
Maimane pointed out that half of the young pupils who entered school this week will not reach matric because of the poor education system.
“The time has come to radically restructure the department, to introduce innovative ideas, transparent leadership, and a social compact to fix the mess, which includes such ongoing travesties as dangerous infrastructure, under-equipped facilities, and under-supported educators.
“After 15 years at the helm, it's also time for Minister Motshekga to vacate office and hand over the reins to fresh blood," he said.
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Maimane called on the department to address the 30% pass mark and the real matric drop-out rate.
“The DBE’s own NSC (National Senior Certificate) Diagnostics Report shows that the overwhelming majority of students who take crucial subjects in matric pass those subjects with less than 50%."
He claimed that Bosa would formally launch a public petition calling for the 30% pass mark to be scrapped and replaced with a 50% minimum standard on Thursday, 18 January.
Maimane said the petition posits that a 30% pass mark for subjects at the matric level undermines the intellect of Mzansi’s youth and allows for the entrenchment of mediocrity and low expectations.
“Bosa will continue to advocate for affordable, quality education for every young person - from the earliest stages of schooling to high-level degrees. Given the proportion of our National Budget allocated to Education, our nation deserves an inclusive education which prepares students for a future economy, opportunities for lifelong learning, and for a career of their choice,” he said.
