Hundreds of students, marching under the banner of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), gathered outside the Department of Basic Education in Pretoria to demand urgent reforms in the education sector.
Dressed in their school uniforms, learners from across Gauteng and the North West held placards calling for the resignation of Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube. Gwarube, a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), assumed the role in July following the formation of the government of national unity. COSAS, historically aligned with the African National Congress (ANC), has been vocal in its criticism of her leadership.
Calls for Better School Infrastructure
Sophie Jonas, a Grade 10 student from Hammanskraal, said she joined the march to demand improved conditions in township schools.
“We want our schools to be properly maintained and the areas around them to be clean and safe. Classrooms are overcrowded, and we need more schools to accommodate everyone,” she said.
Busang Lekeka, COSAS’s deputy secretary-general, emphasised the need to integrate technology into the education system.
“It is unacceptable that some students only get to use a laptop for the first time when they reach university,” Lekeka stated, calling for digital literacy programmes in schools.
COSAS Issues 14-Day Ultimatum
The student body submitted a memorandum listing several demands, including:
Increased investment in school infrastructure
Integration of digital skills into the curriculum to align with the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Expansion of vocational training, particularly in agriculture
Greater budget allocation for school maintenance
Improved scholar transport to ensure safer commutes
Despite demands for Minister Gwarube to address the crowd, police informed the protestors that she was unavailable.
Minister Given Deadline to Respond
Addressing the demonstrators, COSAS President Kamogelo Nkosi accused Gwarube of failing South African learners, particularly in her handling of the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.
“We demand better township schools where black children can learn in dignity and safety. The minister must respond within 14 days, or we will return,” Nkosi warned.
The memorandum was handed over to officials from the Department of Basic Education, and students vowed to continue their fight for education reform.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.