Motshekga’s department is looking to bring in some sweeping changes to the education system – Photo: GCIS
Motshekga’s department is looking to bring in some sweeping changes to the education system – Photo: GCIS
Many of us were expecting a final decision on whether schools would stay open or close on Monday. But as we drift towards the advent of Tuesday, it looks like the Education Department will be hampered by yet another delay. Only this time, Minister Angie Motshekga is accused of being ‘directly responsible’.
The head of the ministry has been leading discussions with key stakeholders in the education industry. MECs, unions and concerned schoolboards have all been in touch with Motshekga. But according to Ben Machipi, the general secretary of the Professional Educators’ Union (PEU), Angie was not well prepared.
Decision to keep schools open on Monday 20 July – silence is golden
He told TimesLive that the union had submitted their proposals to the department – only to hear Motshekga and an assembled team of politicians ask for the documents again. Machipi stressed that ‘time has been wasted’:
“What shocked us is that the task team who were introduced on the call ended up asking for the consolidated proposals that we gave the minister on Saturday. The minister gave them an instruction to come and ask for something she has in her hands. The meeting was a waste of time.”
Ben Machipi
Angie Motshekga, department branded ‘timewasters’
Similar sentiments were echoed by Jacques Smalle, of the DA Limpopo. He questioned why schools were trying to ‘deviate away’ from ensuring learners have the right to education. As of 18:00 on Monday, the decision on whether or not our education facilities can remain open hadn’t been announced:
“Everyone should remember that schools have been given leeway to open and close under certain deviations, and where they comply with COVID-19 health and safety regulations.”
“We believe the Department of Education is guided by the disaster management act and regulations by Minister Angie Motshekga on the phasing in of learners. With all decisions made, they should not deviate from the children’s right to education.”
Jacques Smalle
