Just days after the matric exams began, the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube MP, will skip a long scheduled parliamentary question session tomorrow where she was due to account to Members of Parliament on a myriad of issues relating to the country’s deepening education crisis.
Instead of fulfilling her constitutional duty of accountability, Minister Gwarube and her deputy will be hosting G20 education ministers at a luxurious safari lodge in the Kruger National Park. The Minister’s correspondence can be accessed here.
This is a question of priorities and is becoming a constant theme within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The Minister has known about this clash since at least 1 October, as indicated in her correspondence to Parliament. Rather than making alternative arrangements to answer questions she has chosen leisure and prestige over accountability and responsibility.
The Minister’s absence comes at a time when the basic education system faces multiple crises that demand urgent attention and leadership:
- Libraries: Only 5,863 of South Africa’s 22,511 public schools have a library. That means three out of every four schools (74%) have no library at all.
- Low university admission rates: Last year, just 47% of learners achieved a Bachelor’s Pass, and fewer than 15% of these students went on to enrol in university.
- 30% pass mark: The continued acceptance of a 30% pass mark undermines the potential of our youth and entrenches a culture of mediocrity.
- Global rankings: South Africa ranks 107th out of 141 countries for skills readiness, with 81% of children unable to read for meaning by age 10.
- Mathematics: Over 500 schools across the country do not offer mathematics as a subject.
- Infrastructure: 10,938 schools still do not have a single flushing toilet, and 383 schools have no access to running water.
- Budget underspending: Provincial education departments underspent by R150 million in the past financial year.
- Child safety: 93% of adults working in schools have not been cleared against the Sex Offenders Register.
While our education system is collapsing, the Minister is prioritising photo opportunities and networking at a luxury lodge. South Africa rightly deserves a Minister who is present, accountable, and serious about fixing our schools and our education system.
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons
BOSA Spokesperson
072 299 3551