As we reflect on World Teachers’ Day that took place yesterday, ActionSA commends all the teachers who have done outstanding work and remained committed to providing quality education despite the various obstacles that have infiltrated our schools and compromised the grade of education offered.
Schools across the country have been marred by failing infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and a shortage of educational resources and teachers as we mark nearly three decades of democracy.
Teachers and students, alike, have been subjected to poor and unsafe conditions. This is the result of the ruling government’s incompetence and greed which has cost millions of young children quality education.
The current government has failed to ensure that school facilities are functional and adequately maintained, that teaching equipment is available, and that more schools are built to ensure that everyone’s constitutional right to basic education is upheld.
This carelessness has jeopardised the future of thousands of students, as problems like loadshedding and water shortages have grown to be serious concerns that continue to interrupt the schooling day.
Furthermore, many schools within townships are without science and technology laboratories and are therefore unable to do practicals which are important for science learning.
The safety of many teachers and students has been compromised due to the growing number of drugs and gang-related violence. As a result, more students are joining gangs.
Systems are needed to ensure that schools remain a place of safety.
Despite working long hours, the government continues to underpay and undervalue teachers, especially those employed in public schools. Because of these unfavourable circumstances teachers are lost to private/independent schools leaving many young learners at a disadvantage.
We urge that increased efforts be made to properly compensate society’s unsung heroes. Teachers have the power to empower millions of young minds and it all begins with the right skills and resources.
It is essential that teachers across the country and the world receive substantially better pay that reflects their dedication and hard work. Additionally, teachers should be provided with the tools they need to develop stimulating learning environments.
Recent studies have revealed that 81% of fourth graders are unable to read for meaning, and many more struggle to critically engage with their schoolwork. This is the result of wasted learning time, insufficient opportunities to learn and lack of resources.
It is important that early childhood development is prioritised in which a dual approach is applied enabling young children to learn in their mother tongue and English. Effective early childhood development interventions are required to ensure that children establish the strong foundation required for a productive educational journey.
ActionSA firmly pushes for residents in townships, rural areas, and suburbs to have equal access to high-quality education. The aim is to not only educate South Africans, but also to equip them with the skills and information they need to succeed.
It is disheartening that issues such as financial inequality and geography still have a substantial impact on the outcomes of the quality of education they receive.
To address the difficulties that have significantly deteriorated the quality of education available to the socio-economically disadvantaged, ActionSA believes that the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training should be consolidated into one Department of Education.
Furthermore, our policies advocate for the improvement in teachers’ salaries. Often our frontline workers are overworked, underpaid and not always paid in a timely manner. Raising their pay would improve performance and encourage more teachers to remain in public schools, which are often rundown.
ActionSA also proposes the elimination of the 30% pass rate, which should be increased to 50%, as well as the reinstatement of school inspectors to oversee the performance of all schools. We remain committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their income and circumstances, has access to educational opportunities.
This includes conducting annual subject-matter assessments for teachers to determine their ability to teach the subjects they have been allocated, plus training interventions to ensure teachers have the necessary skills and knowledge to teach subject-specific content at an age-appropriate level.
Water and internet connection for all students would be prioritised as critical school infrastructure, as would ensuring all school-aged children have access to extra-curricular activities to foster the development of balanced individuals.
ActionSA applauds all the hardworking teachers who remain resilient and show up to work to make a genuine difference in the lives of their pupils, with some even going as far as to purchase resources in their personal capacity.
However, for transformation to succeed, robust governance and collaboration with key stakeholders are required. The youth have the right to a high- quality education and skills development that will enable them to participate in the economy and improve their quality of life.
ActionSA Calls for the Improved Salaries of All Teachers
As we reflect on World Teachers’ Day that took place yesterday, ActionSA commends all the teachers who have done outstanding work and remained committed to providing quality education despite the various obstacles that have infiltrated our schools and compromised the grade of education offered.
Schools across the country have been marred by failing infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and a shortage of educational resources and teachers as we mark nearly three decades of democracy.
Teachers and students, alike, have been subjected to poor and unsafe conditions. This is the result of the ruling government’s incompetence and greed which has cost millions of young children quality education.
The current government has failed to ensure that school facilities are functional and adequately maintained, that teaching equipment is available, and that more schools are built to ensure that everyone’s constitutional right to basic education is upheld.
This carelessness has jeopardised the future of thousands of students, as problems like loadshedding and water shortages have grown to be serious concerns that continue to interrupt the schooling day.
Furthermore, many schools within townships are without science and technology laboratories and are therefore unable to do practicals which are important for science learning.
The safety of many teachers and students has been compromised due to the growing number of drugs and gang-related violence. As a result, more students are joining gangs.
Systems are needed to ensure that schools remain a place of safety.
Despite working long hours, the government continues to underpay and undervalue teachers, especially those employed in public schools. Because of these unfavourable circumstances teachers are lost to private/independent schools leaving many young learners at a disadvantage.
We urge that increased efforts be made to properly compensate society’s unsung heroes. Teachers have the power to empower millions of young minds and it all begins with the right skills and resources.
It is essential that teachers across the country and the world receive substantially better pay that reflects their dedication and hard work. Additionally, teachers should be provided with the tools they need to develop stimulating learning environments.
Recent studies have revealed that 81% of fourth graders are unable to read for meaning, and many more struggle to critically engage with their schoolwork. This is the result of wasted learning time, insufficient opportunities to learn and lack of resources.
It is important that early childhood development is prioritised in which a dual approach is applied enabling young children to learn in their mother tongue and English. Effective early childhood development interventions are required to ensure that children establish the strong foundation required for a productive educational journey.
ActionSA firmly pushes for residents in townships, rural areas, and suburbs to have equal access to high-quality education. The aim is to not only educate South Africans, but also to equip them with the skills and information they need to succeed.
It is disheartening that issues such as financial inequality and geography still have a substantial impact on the outcomes of the quality of education they receive.
To address the difficulties that have significantly deteriorated the quality of education available to the socio-economically disadvantaged, ActionSA believes that the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training should be consolidated into one Department of Education.
Furthermore, our policies advocate for the improvement in teachers’ salaries. Often our frontline workers are overworked, underpaid and not always paid in a timely manner. Raising their pay would improve performance and encourage more teachers to remain in public schools, which are often rundown.
ActionSA also proposes the elimination of the 30% pass rate, which should be increased to 50%, as well as the reinstatement of school inspectors to oversee the performance of all schools. We remain committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their income and circumstances, has access to educational opportunities.
This includes conducting annual subject-matter assessments for teachers to determine their ability to teach the subjects they have been allocated, plus training interventions to ensure teachers have the necessary skills and knowledge to teach subject-specific content at an age-appropriate level.
Water and internet connection for all students would be prioritised as critical school infrastructure, as would ensuring all school-aged children have access to extra-curricular activities to foster the development of balanced individuals.
ActionSA applauds all the hardworking teachers who remain resilient and show up to work to make a genuine difference in the lives of their pupils, with some even going as far as to purchase resources in their personal capacity.
However, for transformation to succeed, robust governance and collaboration with key stakeholders are required. The youth have the right to a high- quality education and skills development that will enable them to participate in the economy and improve their quality of life.