SA's Failing Education System

Appalled would probably best describe the frame I find myself in right now.

It's Wed, 29 June and a national paper's (The Star) headline reads, "Many of our kids can't read or write", subheadlined by "Study shows pathetic state of primary school education".

Now this is worrisome to me. Why, you ask.  Well, not only do I have family who is currently in school, but I may someday have to send my own kids to school.  And I would love to do that in my birthed country.
These kids are at a critical age, where literacy and numeracy skills are crucial to them as future students and "leaders" of this beautiful land.  Your core (and basic) learning curriculum at grades 3 to 6 are as a foundation to learn and understand the work you will be taught in higher grades.  Why, then, were our kids scored a dismal 28 percent in a countrywide assessment test in numeracy and literacy?

These results are the not the first signs of a crumbling education system.  It is quite sad, how our leaders are always preaching to the global audience about how they value the youth and young in South Africa.  Yet, they are struggling to face the issues that are staring them right in the face.  The very issues that are hurting the future of a country with so much promise.

South Africa spends a fair share of its GDP on education, still, the return on investment is null.  Also, an often overlooked hindrance to a prosperous education for our little ones, lies in the lack of quality teachers.  The quality of teachers and resources must be on par.  Grades 3 to 6 producing failing results, can hardly be blamed on a curriculum that's lacking - the educators should own responsibility and learn to know that their guidance is fundamental in the lives of these kids; that being a teacher is not merely 'just a job'.

Outside of the school gates, we as parents and caretakers and siblings or relatives should play a part too.  I try as best as I can, to encourage young ones to read and to practice their numbers; whether they have homework or not, and even getting them to join their local libraries. 
I'll be the change I want to see in the world, as Mahatma Gandhi keeps reminding me.  Every little bit you do, counts, there's a ripple effect that will resonate for years to come.  South Africa's schooling system needs to realise this.  Angie Motshekga, our Basic Education Minister, needs to realise this, saying that the results are "very sad" is simply, not enough.  Yes, she conducted these tests but now there's work to be done.

I'll be sitting and watching and hoping for a positive outcome based on all this.