It was intesresting to have followed live debates on SABC SAFM Talkshow with Xolani about the state of readiness across all Provinces as many african children opens the doors of learning this year. An awesome piece was written by one scholar with an interesting rhetorical question as to whether ‘we are educating for socialism or capitalism? And further suggestions by some callers implied intentionaly and/or unintentionaly that some educators are not ‘brainy’ to understand that the importance of education. For the record,predominantly former disadvantaged Provices are tailing the score card on good performance;Eastern Cape,Limpopo and Mpumalanga on position nine,eight and seven respectively during 2012 announcement of 2011 matric classses.Is it because they are poorly located in the country and/or are poorly allocated resources? Or perhaps,the civil dereliction of duties is rife? However, on the other hand to suggest that ‘in South Africa the expression of teacher unionism at local level constraints the ability of government to pursue its policy objectives of improving literacy and numeracy and broader educational outcomes”, is unlettered and has no scientific facts; it actually bodes of hatred of trade unions as few right-wing supporters was to declare the occupation an essential services, to curb workers of the mind to express their trade union rights and reclaim trade unionism. These rights are about a universal principle; for example UNISON, a Britain and Europe’s biggest public sector union with more than 1.3 million members has such provisions which encompass written agreements with employers to exercise that ‘right’. Narrow comparison with countries such as Botswana which has impatience with trade unions is a fact to be expreesed.However,with the latest literacy reports which paints a picture that South Africa has low levels of competency is a cause for concern. But to pick and choose ‘only teacher absenteeism’ is disingenuous on the basis that other contributory factors such as the question of demand and supply of workers of the mind as one of many contributions, which are negated. Many workers are resigning for other opportunities due to disrespect to express ‘the importance of pedagogues’ with a better pay. To replace an equally competent pedagogue is still a challenge due to closure of colleges of education by former ministers due to ‘[im] proper advises’. Zimbabwe and Swaziland used to have superior education system, with first class English speakers but what with experience is currently a ‘collapsing system’, due to skewed allocation of resources, dictatorship coupled with distaste to advises by some African leaders on prioritizing education as an engine to personal development. Some wenmedia pieces recentlyt painted a picture that ‘education’ workers are saying “we bunk classes because we don’t like teaching and we don’t like it because we’re not confident”, is actually an attempt to undermine the integrity of the South African workforce with the education sector. Many pedagogues and androgogue have always gone above expectations by dedicating their family time to enrich preparations for learners for annual assessment processes yet many do not appreciate. Some [narrow] arguments are that it is part of the job description and why praise them? But when things go awful [horribly wrong], it takes a second for a finger to points towards them.[patriotism ignorance]. Every government department has signed a government delivery framework with specific outcomes for achieving and if indeed there are so-called managers threatened by existence of trade unions in generally suggest that conservatism around functionality of toiling classes is under threat. A piece of trade union[ism] education will be relevant as part of building a just society, with more respected for International Labour Relations Convention in general and freedom of association in particular. Drawing some factual illustrations from "Making schooling rights realities", it prudent that all boy and girl child are afforded an opportunity to access quality free public education without any hindrances such as lack of enabling conditions to enhance competencies. Making sure that 'every day becomes a Mandela Day', entails ensuring that education indeed become an engine for personal development and not a disaster in waiting for the future citizens. A campaign on unlocking the doors of learning is a noble exercise which we cannot compromise at any time. Such imperatives ,includes the recollection of 'education' stability in Eastern Cape Education system which is currently in disarray over a number of contentious matters by stakeholders.The sooner a solution is found,the better will the efforts done by Progressive Youth Alliance will found a fertile ground to bear fruits. Education for all children is a fundamental human right! Issued by: Mampane Norman
-- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
