Recently I have been looking into the state of African Education systems, particularly for South Africa. I was trying to look at the way children are taugh and how it factors in to their long term survival in the jungle named life. Soon the primary school children will be expected to provide for themselves and for those behind them, what we call 'black tax'. But little emphasis is put on the manner in which these children will contribute to society and the economy. I think the way the education system is designed does not talk to the needs of the country in more ways than one. Or maybe because there is a large group of children who are not taught to know, to think or to question what they are taught in relation to real life, they taught to memorize without understanding and grow up to be working machines.
There must be something really wrong with the basic education system in South Africa. The disparities I see are heart breaking. A grade 3 learner in a rural school gets no homework for more than one week without any wory. If they do get one, the homework will be to collect mud and make a cow or something that require very little to no thinking at all. On the other hand, grade 3 learners in a semi-urban or urban public and private schools get her mom and dad sweating trying to do a manual "water purification project" using sand and 2 litter bottle. A small project like this gets the child up in his/ her feet trying to get this project up and done. The fascinations that the child is exposed to make the little one excited about going to school to present the project to the rest of the class the following day.
Are the teachers in rural schools not exposed to this kind of invention of training or is there something else that makes us see the difference as it is.
I can't bear this. Or am I missing something?
In urban schools, kids have what they call "school concerts" which help children identify and celebrate their artisitic giftings before a huge audience of learners, teachers and parents. These kids look forward to this event for weeks and prepare eagerly. These concerts does not only expose the kids to their talents, but it helps teachers and parents discover the child's strengths early and help the child grow and excel in it. They also teach the child to blend with other children and adults in an organized manner than in the play grounds. They learn to stand before audience of strangers and speak, play or act out their talents. These kids become better kids and sometimes, turn out great. My village school kids are surprised to see other little children on television and magazines advertising clothes or acting. These little superstars are not fallen angels, they are ordinary kids with teachers and parents who know the need for early childhood development and have taken the initiative to be part of it. I wonder when will something like this visit our rural schools in Madombija, Njelele, Majosi, Motetema, Moroke, Mdavula and other villages where superstars and scientists lie and play in the streets unidentified.
I went to a public school where the SGB had questionable understanding of their role in leadership or education. I still am amazed at the level of distance between these Schools Governing Bodies and Schools Leadership and academic programs. I don't want to talk about parents who may never even know what subjects the child is exposed to. One child fails at school and parents make a joke on it as if nothing happened. They make jokes with their friends about how the child is "dumb", "not cut out for education", how he is "lousy at soccer" and so many other negative aspects. I submit to you today if you are reading this and you are a parent: You must resolve to be involved in the education of your child. Ask questions if your child has no homework or performed poorly. Help your child set targets and help him or her to achieve them.
And to you Ministers and MECs of Education, principals and teachers: I appreciate the work you have done in getting me educated. Thank you for that. But you cannot teach my children the same way you taught me in the class room. Your systems must improve with time to meet the needs of today and solve the present challenges with the view of anticipated ones. So far, you have been weighed and found wanting.
