Mohlomphegi Modulasetulo, mohlomphegi Tona, re be re theeledit?e Maloko a Palamente a bolela ka ga ditaba t?a thuto go tloga ka iri ya bobedi - gore na thuto e bohlokwa bjang. Ke nnete thuto e bohlokwa. Go na le polelo ya Sepedi yeo e rego "set?haba seo se sa rutegago ke seo se timet?ego". Ka fao, set?haba se se tlo timela. (Translation of Sepedi paragraph follows.)
[Mr T A MASHAMAITE: Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, we have been listening from two o'clock to Members of Parliament debating education matters - about the importance of education. It is a fact that education is important. Without education, a nation is lost.]
I just want to raise a few points here because I feel that the speakers who spoke before me did not touch on them. The point I want to raise is in relation to the dress code of learners at school. The department must introduce a dress code for learners in the same phase across the country. This will go a long way towards alleviating the economic burden on parents and guardians of having to buy new school uniforms every time a child is transferred to a new school.
Displaying a national symbol in the form of an education emblem of the nation - national heroes and martyrs such as Chris Hani - would build national pride and identity among learners and thus promote common values and inspiration among the diverse learner population.
Education is a means of promoting good citizenship as well as preparing our people for the needs of a modern economy and a democratic society. By building on achievements in education, the ANC government is determined to ensure the progressive realisation of universal schooling, improve the quality of education and eliminate disparities.
There is a need to intensify the mobilisation of adults who cannot read or write to join the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign. In the same breath, the ANC government will pay attention to improving the quality of Grade R and early childhood development to ensure that young children are adequately prepared for schooling. In this instance ...
... moswana o bolet?e a re tloga-tloga e tloga kgale, modi?i wa kgomo o t?wa nayo ?akeng, goba thupa e kobja e sa le boleta. [... young children need to be prepared at an earlier stage for schooling.]
The ANC continues to call for non-negotiables in education - that teachers should be on time, in class and teach for seven hours a day. Pupils should be involved in affairs that affect them. In this regard, the building of a movement for quality education involving learners, teachers and parents will gather momentum and zest in its strategic aim to ensure universal access to quality public education.
In his state of the nation address, the President said that government must work faster, harder and smarter. Let us heed the call as the people of South Africa and do it. We can do it; it can be done.
This month, as we celebrate 20 years since the release of Mr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela from prison, we celebrate the revolutionary and selfless struggle, which gave rise to an open and democratic society free from the legacy of institutionalised racism and discrimination.
In conclusion, making education one of the five priorities over the next five years reaffirms the commitment of the ANC to the improvement of the quality of education and access thereto. The 2009 curriculum review addresses the content and impact of education on young people in the main and their progression to higher education and preparation for entry into the labour market. The productive sector has been mobilised to appreciate the importance of further education and training colleges in meeting the skills and employment creation needs of the country.
Ga re a swanela go ba bo popotela ye e sa kwego gomme ya felet?a e wet?e leretheng la mohwelere. Ke a leboga, mohlomphegi Modulasetulo. [Legofsi.] [We do not have to be stubborn because that may lead us into trouble. Thank you. [Applause.]]