Gauteng schools in the line of fire again – #Lesufimustfall, says AfriForum
AfriForum plans the continuation of its #lesufimustfall campaign after the latest remarks by Panyaza Lesufi, the Gauteng MEC for Education. Lesufi announced at a media conference that schools in Gauteng would be listed from best to worst on a public website. According to him, the Gauteng Department of Education would then be able to determine which schools excelled and which schools failed.
According to Carien Bloem, AfriForum’s Project Coordinator for Education, it is worrisome that the Gauteng Department of Education did not already know which schools were not on standard and that it thought that the problem could be solved simply by drawing up a list.
Lesufi also said that schools with the names of Afrikaner leaders would be forced to change their names before September 2016 because these names dated from the Apartheid era.
“One cannot but think that the MEC is continuously looking for new ways to conceal the problems faced by Gauteng education, rather than addressing these problems directly,” Bloem said.
“Already, overcrowded class rooms in successful schools are the result of parents transferring their children from dysfunctional schools. Earlier registration dates at schools are the order of the day, and schools are now being told to change names that no learner in these schools finds offence – only Mr Lesufi. Focus should rather be on the hundreds of schools that need urgent help, instead of wanting to change school names.”
AfriForum will continue its #Lesufimustfall – Save Afrikaans Schools campaign in a bid to protect schools against people in positions of power – like Lesufi.
AfriForum also wants to encourage all prospective Grade R and Grade 8 parents to register their children in time before 19 April 2016 at the school of their choice. This will prevent the Department from placing their children in dysfunctional schools or schools where children are not taught in their mother tongue.
Statement issued by Carien Bloem, Project Coordinator: Education, AfriForum, 16 March 2016
