The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, plans to attend to basic education challenges and improve the standard of education in South Africa.
Described as urgent matters, pit toilets in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape and the standard of education are some of the important issues highlighted by Gwarube after she was sworn in as the new Minister of Basic Education. She said that in order to raise a generation that will be primed for the future economy it is crucial to urgently get the standard of education right.
“I will be working with my cabinet colleagues and putting pressure on them because some of these things do not fall within the Department of Basic Education. Some of them fall within the transport and public works. So, I look forward to using my seat at the cabinet to put pressure on my colleagues,” Gwarube said.
She added that the country cannot have learners drowning in pit toilets 30 years after democracy.
The 34-year-old said that she is looking forward to engaging with various stakeholders within the sector to improve the quality of education and the experience of teachers to achieve a world class education system.
Gwarube who is the former Chief Whip in Parliament for the Democratic Alliance believes that she is in the right position. She said that she was not planning on becoming a politician, however she believes that it is the right time. Gwarube added that she is keen on working and sharing her priorities with the officials in the sector.
“Looking at the entire curriculum overall is one of my priorities with the help of advisors and industry experts to see where to from now,” Gwarube said.