By Kevin Alexander
Cape Town - It has recently come to my attention that many financially challenged parents in our communities are unable to afford the current demands placed upon them for school stationery items that need to be purchased at department stores and commercial stationers.
This is a very real concern in a climate of high unemployment and ridiculous prices of basic needs like food, clothing and housing.
A large percentage of our learners at regular government schools come from single parent homes, where often the parent has to provide for more than one child attending school.
Often the parent has to pay rent, buy food, pay for travelling with a very limited income or even with a state grant.
This issue needs to be addressed urgently.
The unreasonable costs of basic education in South Africa in general, but especially in the Western Cape, must be emphasised and addressed as a matter of urgency.
How does our government expect our single, unemployed mothers to afford:
1. school fees plus extramural activities for their children;
2. school uniforms throughout the years;
3. commercially branded stationery packs and stationery items that must be purchased from supermarkets and commercial stationers at exorbitant prices.
How is this possible?
It is unacceptable and aids the school dropout rates which has an undesirable ripple effect throughout our communities to keep citizens enslaved.
Are any political parties even addressing this vital issue in their manifestos?
Section 29(1)(a) of the Constitution of South Africa states “everyone has the right to a basic education”.
Cape Times
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