STATEMENT OF THE YCLSA ON THE JOE SLOVO RIGHT TO LEARN CAMPAIGN
11 JANUARY 2010
Long Queues at University of Johannesburg, Unprecedented turnout at universities for new registration, Review of NSFAS, Free Education for the poor at Further Education and Training, Smooth Reopening of Schools on 12 January
Background
1. The Young Communist League of South Africa (uFasimba) will again this year go in full force to ensure that the education of the South African child begins with earnest and determination at universities, colleges and schools through our Joe Slovo's Right To Learn Campaign (JSRTLC). The JSRTLC began 5 years ago as a campaign to ensure that when schools and universities reopen at the beginning of the year, youth, workers and communities work together with school authorities and government so that this process runs smoothly. This year will be no different.
2. The JSRTLC is more about emphasising access to quality, public education for ALL students. It is about giving meaning to "opening the doors of learning and teaching for all". We emphasise the following objectives of the JSRTLC:
a. Unhindered access to both basic and higher education by all South Africans;
b. Strengthening of the campaign of a Higher Education institution in Mpumalanga and Northern Cape;
c. Closure of liquor outlets within a certain radius to schools;
d. Ensuring that there is sufficient education infrastructure such as school building, sports facilities, computer and science laboratories and access to libraries;
e. Provision of nutrition for learners who are from working class families;
f. Improvement of the quality of public education through teacher re-training and all other forms of teacher continuous development;
Long Queues at University of Johannesburg
3. The YCLSA notes the reports of long queues at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Reports we received from our structures indicate that there are more than 50 000 new and late applications and more than 200 000 pending applications whilst the university intake can only be around 48 000. No doubt the success of government in last years' Matric results has led to this unprecedented turn-out.
4. We believe that there should never be a learner that is denied the right to education, especially given the skills needs of our country and the high unemployment rate. The pressure of UJ has to be spread across the entire country to all other universities, with these universities taking referrals from UJ. This pressure also speaks to the urgency of the need for universities in Mpumalanga and Northern Cape. We propose that the Department of Education should immediately set-up a HOTLINE that will specifically assist students with information on where they can still go and register if they are not admitted at UJ, and also to provide general information.
5. The YCLSA calls on all universities and colleges to improve their efforts to inform students on their programmes so that they are able to spread. The pressure of UJ also imposes a responsibility on the state to improve the quality of learning and teaching at all other universities, especially former black universities, so as to remove the pressure on urban universities.
Review of NSFAS and Free Education for students from working class background in FET institutions
6. We welcome the pronouncements made by the Minister of Higher Education on free access to further education and training. We call on all students to take advantage of this policy pronouncement, and ensure that they flock these institutions, especially those who have not got university entrance. We also call on the Ministry to consider a foundation programme that will prepare students who are interested to study at universities, especially in the fields of engineering. We hope that FET institutions and the NSFAS will ensure that this policy pronouncement becomes a reality. In the long run, we call on the Ministry to ensure that there is gradual and ultimately free education for all students at all levels.
School Reopening 2011
7. The YCLSA would like to wish the Class of 2011 all the best in their registration process as the school term begins tomorrow. We call on all parents, teachers and communities to assist in the process of reopening of schools and ensure that schools begin smoothly and in earnest.
8. On our part, the National Secretary together with the National Committee, provincial and branch structures will be visiting schools throughout the country. We do not share the sentiment that members of the YCLSA or communities who contribute towards the smooth reopening of school will be disruptive. This is one of the ways in which communities can be involved and mobilised towards the education of their children.
9. The National Secretary will tomorrow visit some schools in Gauteng, then in the Eastern Cape on Thursday and in Mpumalanga on Friday. In this regard, more details will be sent through to the media and our structures in this regard.
Statement issued by Gugu Ndima, YCLSA Head Office, January 11 2011
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