Hon Speaker, Cope condemns, in the strongest terms possible, the unruly behaviour of Cosas in a number of provinces, as well as the paralysis displayed by the Department of Basic Education to end the protest. The threat by Cosas to make the country ungovernable if the prelims are not scrapped, is irresponsible in the extreme.
Already, one 17-year-old pupil, who was protesting, was allegedly shot by the police and has died. Many other learners have been physically assaulted, intimidated and pulled out of their exam rooms. The demand by the protesting pupils that they be given free marks is preposterous to say the least. Our education is already in a parlous state. Acceding to the protestors' demand would simply destroy education.
Firstly, we want to know why the Minister is not proactively engaging Cosas on the one hand, and the unions on the other. Secondly, more importantly, why did the Minister send junior officials to meet with Cosas. Lastly, we have previously pointed out that the government's handling of the strike has been inept and at times provocative.
We therefore urge government to sit around the negotiating table with all relevant role-players and find a resolution in the interest of the quality of education. Thank you.