Madam Speaker, the DA opposes the budget for Education. This government believes that simply by pouring money into badly managed and poorly performing schools, the standard of education they provide will improve.
But unless teachers and principals in poorly performing schools are held accountable for their performance, the money will simply go into a black hole.
The government is also not doing enough to ensure that it complies with its constitutional duty to provide a basic education. This is underscored by the fact that, in 2003, Grade 3 learners scored an average of only 30% for numeracy and 39% for reading and writing. Apartheid racial disparities continue to be reflected in these outcomes. Only one out of every 1 000 South African pupils in former Department of Education and Training schools, in Grades 3 and 6, meet internationally benchmarked literacy and numeracy standards. Only 3% of pupils in the former House of Representative schools meet the benchmarks, yet 60% of pupils in former model C schools meet them.
Minister, unless urgent remedial action is taken, the state will continue to fall short of its constitutional obligations. Thank you.