Zulu’s media show will negatively disrupt schooling in Lavender Hill

Dear Editor

As the DA in the Western Cape, we are deeply concerned about the National Minister of Social Development’s decision to conduct a three-hour talk shop at the Lavender Hill High School on Friday during school hours. This week, for the first time in nearly 2 years, learners have been able to return on a full-time basis. The Minister’s event could lead to further disruptions after school, and we therefore call on Minister Zulu to immediately move the event to an alternative venue to ensure that school time can be protected from unnecessary disruptions.

In the run up to the State of the Nation Address, the Minister will be carrying out several service delivery oversight activities. Whilst these activities are proactive and welcomed, the Minister should be doing oversight over her own portfolio instead – whereby she was largely absent during the pandemic and social development crisis.

More than this, the decision to hold the event at the school is in direct conflict with the Minister Angie Motshekga’s plea to refrain from unnecessary school visits. Minister Zulu does not have a legitimate oversight role over our schools and is clearly abusing her position. This event will only add to Covid-19 risks faced at schools which is the last thing educators and learners need.

Since the start of the pandemic, the academic programme has been severely hampered by rotational learning and has disempowered many from receiving the sufficient education they deserve. It is critical that all safety concerns are followed to ensure that the school programme is stabilised.

MPP Botha says: “By inviting members of the media and public to be present at the school, Minister Zulu’s actions will threaten the academic programme at Lavender Hill High School and education portfolio – something over which she has no oversight. We urge that the event take place elsewhere so that the learning at the school can continue unhindered and that the Minister heed the decisions of her cabinet colleague.”

Regards

Lorraine Botha, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education

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