President Cyril Ramaphosa ticked all the right priorities on education. However, experts expressed concern at the lack of detail in the commitments he made.
Prof Aslam Fataar of the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University said Ramaphosa’s pronouncement on access to early childhood development (ECD) as fundamental to a good education was important.
Early childhood development neglected
“ECD has been a perennially neglected sector of education. The state’s capacity to deliver on this must be challenged and drastically improved to make good on these promises,” he said.
In his speech, Ramaphosa said South Africa needed to appreciate the impact that a well-functioning and quality education system has on reducing poverty and driving inclusive economic growth.
“We will therefore focus on achieving universal access to early childhood development, which is a prerequisite for improved learning in later years.
Prof Eric Atmore of the Centre for Early Childhood Development expressed disappointment. He lamented the lack of information in Ramaphosa’s speech.
Ramaphosa’s predecessors did same
“[Ramaphosa] committed to universalising ECD, but gave no detail on what he meant in saying this. He said the same last year. And previous presidents, Jacob Zuma, Kgalema Motlanthe and Thabo Mbeki have all said the same thing,” said Atmore.
“Unfortunately, he cannot back his statement up with political will. [Nor] competent public officials and sufficient budget allocation,” he said.
Fataar also noted that Ramaphosa’s emphasis on the delivery of good quality education required more details. This pertains to teacher supply, teacher curriculum implementation development, and fixing material conditions at schools.
“His commitment to fixing schools puts the spotlight on government delivery in this regard,” said Fataar.
Technical and vocational education
“Improving technical and vocational education is another key area that the president focused on. This is an important priority of another neglected sector. It is important for economic development and youth employment,” he said.
Fataar said he supported Ramaphosa’s commitment to ensuring that schools are conducive to delivering good education. With enough classrooms, safe and appropriate sanitation facilities and clean water. Also a daily meal for those children who attend our schools and who need it.
“Yet, again, the state’s capacity to deliver on this must be challenged and drastically improved to make good on these promises.
Atmore said CECD will be monitoring progress towards universalisation. And it will hold Ramaphosa to account.
