On Friday, 27 September, hundreds of Equal Education (EE) Equalisers (learner members of EE) from five provinces will host the People’s swearing-in ceremony for Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube outside of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in Pretoria. Equalisers will reiterate their call for prioritising and realising equal and quality education for all learners in South Africa. In this ceremony, Equalisers will officially present Minister Gwarube’s People’s performance contract to the public, as drafted by the learners her department is responsible to serve. This contract reflects our national and respective provincial campaign demands based on the numerous challenges these learners face when attempting to access their right to education.
By hosting the People’s swearing-in ceremony we aim to:
- increase public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Minister of Basic Education and the Provincial MECs for education;
- remind the Minister and MECs of their commitment as they undertook an oath to improve the education system and uphold the rights of all learners in South Africa;
- provide a platform for the school community (learners, educators, parents, school governing body members) to voice their expectations and experiences;
- showcase key issues in the education system and advocate for necessary reforms; and
- mobilise ordinary South Africans to support EE and others, advocating for government to prioritise basic education. This is crucial in light of the Government of National Unity.
The Minister and the provincial education MECs must heed the call to action made by learners who have to overcome significant hindrances when accessing education more than three decades into democratic South Africa. We urge her to meet with us on Friday to listen to the needs of learners. The next five years are crucial – working towards access to quality education for all must start immediately!
Date: Friday 27 September 2024
Time: 11:30 am
Place: The Department of Basic Education, Sol Plaatje House, 222 Struben Street, Pretoria
#FixOurSchools #FixTheNorms #FundOurFuture #YouthPowerBeyondTheBallot #SafeSchools #LongWalkToSchool #NoSpaceForUs #ReadingRevolution #SofundaSonke
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To arrange an interview:
Sesethu August (Equal Education Communications Officer) sesethu@equaleducation.org.za or
WhatsApp 083 890 8723 / Call 063 221 7983
Kimberley Khumalo (Equal Education Researcher ) kimberley@equaleducation.org.za or
WhatsApp/call 079 0770590
