24 July 2024
The importance of basic education in dealing with socio-economic issues
Basic education is a cornerstone for addressing a wide array of socio-economic issues. It lays the foundation for individuals to lead productive and fulfilling lives, contributing to the overall well-being and development of societies. The Census and other Stats SA reports demonstrate that access to education has significantly improved since the dawn of democracy, from early childhood education to post-secondary education. Almost all young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are literate, while adult literacy has increased from 64% in 1996 to 85% currently.
Infrastructure development and maintenance at public schools are fundamental to providing quality education, especially in townships and rural areas. The state of school infrastructure directly impacts learners’ learning experiences, teachers’ effectiveness, and the overall community’s development. Adequate facilities ensure that educational institutions can function optimally, fostering environments where learners can thrive academically and socially. Some of the key issues that the Government of National Unity needs to address is the enhancement of learning environments, health and safety, encouraging attendance and reducing dropout rates. We must support teachers and staff, promoting community development and bridging the urban-rural divide. A well-built infrastructure makes a big difference in the classroom. Classrooms, libraries, labs, and sport spaces that are well-built and maintained give learners the tools they need to participate in a thorough educational experience. Health and safety should be top priorities in every educational setting. Adequate sanitation facilities, clean water supply, sufficient ventilation, and structurally sound buildings are critical for reducing health problems and fostering a healthy learning environment. Improved infrastructure can have a substantial impact on student attendance and dropout rates. Students who have access to well-maintained facilities are more likely to attend school frequently and participate in learning activities. Poor infrastructure, such as overcrowded classrooms, a lack of basic utilities can reduce attendance and contribute to high dropout rates. Teachers and staff also benefit from improved school infrastructure. Well-equipped classrooms, access to teaching aids, and safe working conditions enhance job satisfaction and retention rates among teachers. This, in turn, positively impacts learners, as motivated and well-supported teachers are more effective in their roles.
Sports play a vital role in the holistic development of learners, sports promotes physical fitness, teamwork, discipline, and resilience. However, inequalities in access and opportunities such as school tournaments and leagues can hinder these benefits, particularly in marginalised communities. Addressing these disparities requires a strategic approach involving collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture. Sports participation has several advantages for learners. It improves mental health, strengthens the body, and develops social skills.
The 2024 State of the Nation states that over the last 30 years, we have tried to use education to promote equality. Our basic education outcomes are constantly improving. The latest matric pass rate of 82.9%, was the highest ever. We need to build on that as we usher in more years into our democracy. In the modern era, digital literacy has become an essential component of education, playing a crucial role in equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. In South Africa, providing basic computer skills in schools is vital for enhancing the quality and standard of basic education. Digital literacy encompasses the ability to use digital technology, communication tools, and networks to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information.
It is a critical skill set for the 21st century, underpinning various aspects of daily life, education, and employment. Digital literacy enables learners to access information, develop critical thinking, enhance communication, and prepare learners for the workplace. Despite the clear benefits of digital literacy, several challenges hinder its widespread adoption in South African schools.
Teacher training, incorporating digital literacy into the curriculum, cultivating public and private partnerships, and involving communities are all important measures for attaining this aim. South Africa can create a more fair and prosperous future by ensuring that all children have access to digital literacy education, giving each kid the potential to excel in the digital age.
We are confident that the department will build on the gains of the sixth administration, which piloted robotics and coding, and this has developed capacity and experience to expand the delivery and access to the subject. As the ANC, we urge the department to focus on this aspect and ensure increased access, prioritising our rural communities and townships.
The ANC has transformed the basic education sector through interventions introduced in the democratic dispensation, these interventions are the introduction of school fee exemption, and school nutrition programs. These interventions were introduced to ensure poverty does not stand in the way of children’s access to quality education. The provision of child nutrition in schools is a critical aspect of education and public health policy in South Africa. Adequate nutrition is fundamental to the physical and cognitive development of children. Poor nutrition can lead to a range of health issues, including poor growth, weakened immune systems, and increased susceptibility to diseases. In addition to health problems, malnutrition affects educational outcomes, as hungry children struggle to focus, participate in class, and perform academically.
Therefore, providing nutritious meals at school is not just about addressing immediate hunger but also about fostering long-term educational and developmental benefits. Programs such as the National School Nutrition Program and various school feeding schemes play a crucial role in addressing the nutritional needs of children, promoting their health, and supporting their academic success.
While significant progress has been made, we must ensure consistent meal quality, expanding coverage, and securing adequate funding. Addressing these challenges is essential for the continued success and effectiveness of school nutrition programs, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more educated generation of South Africans.
We need to increase funding for Early childhood development if we are to create equal opportunities for all children. The President, in his opening of Parliament, committed to universal access to early childhood development below the age of 5 years.
This will require the department to have a strategy which work with civil society and other players in the sector, to ensure a focus on ECD is not just a department focus by a focus by all sector stakeholders.
We also believe that we must mobilise all parents, guardians, unions, education sector organisations, communities and traditional leaders, to join hands in supporting the schooling ecosystem. We must deal with social ills such as the sale of alcohol and drugs to students. We must address the scourge of gender-based violence and bullying, which also impact our learners in schools and communities.
As the African National Congress, we remain committed to advancing transformative legislation, and in the sixth term, we succeeded in completing the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, which was processed over a period of more than a decade by the department and by parliament in the sixth term.
The bill seeks to transform the basic education system, and we should mobilise society behind its noble ideals.