Manner of public meetings at schools regarding proposed regulations evokes concern

The civil rights watchdog AfriForum is concerned about the manner of the public meetings at schools regarding the new proposed school’s regulations announced by Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng MEC for Education, on 30 July 2018.

“Problem areas proposed by concerned parents during these meetings include the language of instruction to be used at schools, how the capacity of schools will be determined, as well as the powers of school governing bodies. However, Lesufi evades valid questions and concerns by parents and refuses to directly tackle these issues,” says Carien Bloem, AfriForum’s Project Coordinator for Education.

Lesufi said last night during such a meeting at the Hoërskool Montana that parents should be grateful that he is talking nicely. According to Lesufi, the next MEC for Education will not negotiate with parents but will force them to do as he/she determines.

“His attitude in this regard and the way in which he downplays the concerns of parents indicate that these meetings and the inputs of parents do not contain much if any worth for Lesufi,” adds Bloem.

AfriForum would however still like to encourage parents to supply commentary against the proposed school’s regulations at www.virskole.com to ensure that the strongest possible opposition is offered against it.

Parents have until 30 August 2018 to supply commentary.