Thank you, Chairperson. It is a pity the Minister is not here. The DA welcomes the substantial salary increases announced this week for educators, and we are delighted that the Minister of Education has been able to obtain approval for them.
Educators are the backbone of our country. Every one of us sitting here has benefited from their dedication and hard work. The success of our economy rests on the quality of teaching that our children receive in the classroom. For those educators who are committed to their responsibilities, it must be said that even with these increases their salaries will not begin to match what they do.
As the Minister of Education herself has stated, "We need to assert excellence and challenge mediocrity." While there is a great amount of work involved in doing this, one of the most important steps is to offer salaries that do not deter the best and the brightest from the profession. These salary increases will be a significant step in that direction. Thank you.