Education needs urgent attention

AN open letter to our president, Jacob Zuma:

Mr President, congratulations on your second term as president of our beautiful country, South Africa.

What I am writing about is a topic known to you and most learned persons who feel strongly about the state of our education in our country.

I write this letter with great despair and disappointment.

We all came to love the ruling party because it was the only way to free our country from white domination.

I am part of the class of 1976.

Education and health are the two crucial fundamental disciplines for any striving country that must be in order and the best they can be.

I got involved with the primary school in my area and was elected chairperson of the school governing body (SGB).

It became clear immediately the level of work and involvement required from me or any concerned parent.

Our education is in dire straits or quite clearly in a mess.

Our children are at risk to become an uneducated working class of tomorrow.

The problems at the school are teachers not being paid, the school being vandalised, teachers not taking part in extra-mural activities, children abusing teachers, financial strain and parents who do not get involved in their children's education.

The three teachers who are not being paid by the provincial Department of Education are at a point of total breakdown.

A stipend was being paid them by the SGB.

A factory worker, from the street, does not even earn R4000 a month, but we must fork out this amount for professional people who educate the nation.

The teachers' service at the school ranges from 14 to five years.

Their documents were submitted to the department on numerous occasions and still they have not been officially appointed.

The security at the school is non-existent.

A female teacher was robbed at gunpoint in her classroom.

The break-ins take place on a regular basis.

There were night watchmen at school, but all this costs the school money and can't be afforded.

The night watchmen's duties were halted.

There are reports from most schools of overcrowding, which results in sub-standard education provided because there is not enough time for individual tutoring. It is quite scary to find out that pupils going to high school can't read properly.

Discipline is a major problem with children stating that they know their rights, which affects attitudes and positive involvement in their progress. On any day you will find pupils walking around and not attending school.

Drug abuse is a major problem and addicts are getting younger by the year.

The biggest issue for me is that the place of learning must be conducive to positive and constructive educating. The buildings are not maintained.

There are long waits to fix major water leaks. The toilets are a health risk, especially to girls.

Windows are smashed out by vandals and it is a sorry state of affairs with the low morning temperatures affecting the pupils.

Vandals steal electrical wires and fittings, so classes are without lights and are extremely dark in the early mornings.

Door frames, locks and doors are damaged by thieves. Roofs leak and downpipes are vandalised or stolen.

We have prioritised our concerns at our school to change things around. And we will turn it around.

A few parents have come forward, but this is only a short term measure. This problem requires a major political solution and political will.

We do not have to re-invent the education wheel.

Take a place like Singapore. Why is it so successful, why is it one of the world leaders on the economic front?

It has sorted its education out and is reaping the benefits.

Mr President, we need a major political solution to safeguard our kids and our beautiful country.

Richard Draai, chairperson of the school governing body at Bethvale Primary in Bethelsdorp, Port Elizabeth, and a concerned parent disillusioned with the state of our education