Why is it that teachers in the new SA, since 1994, have become so complacent with the changes they have had to face in education? In my opinion, the majority of teachers just comply with regulations imposed on them in education. Of course, the same can be said of employees in other government departments.
Is this a good sign for South Africa? For the ruling class, I am sure they are glad that most South Africans are compliant citizens, but unfortunately, for the wrong reasons. It began with the negotiations mainly between the ANC (also PAC and AZAPO) and the National Party and all its collaborators.
This made it possible to forget the absolute corruption of the apartheid government. The cost to SA of this corruption must still be determined. This seems to be forgotten by the so-called "whites" who sit with their money they earned during the apartheid period and now are at the forefront of saying how corrupt the ANC is.
The stealing of the country's wealth (absolutely large sums of money – much more than the ANC) by the settlers cannot be compared to the money squandered by the ANC which the Zondo Commission is investigating. Corruption is wrong and must not be tolerated in any country.
The implementation of bad policy is a form of corruption and must be condemned. Hare- brain schemes by education authorities waste vast resources of the State. Since 1994, we have had numerous ill-conceived educational policies implemented. Teachers must voice their opposition to injustice. I mention a few:
* OBE inherited from mainly Western countries dumbed down our teachers, parents and especially the students. It is still part of NDBE policies.
* Rationalisation of 20 000 teachers in 1996. Our schools suffer tremendously from this absolutely stupid decision.
*Closing down of teacher training colleges and the loss of experienced lecturers at these colleges.
*Closing down of thousands of schools since 2012. For every two primary schools, we only have one high school. Sadly, thousands of grade 7 students will never see the inside of a high school.
I raise these issues because there were individuals who were responsible for the above decisions. Teachers must always respond to injustice. Memory will always be a weapon.
* Brian Isaacs obtained a BSc (UWC) in 1975, a Secondary Teacher’s Diploma in 1976, BEd (UWC) in 1981, and MEd (UWC) in 1992. He is a former matriculant, teacher and principal at South Peninsula High School.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
Cape Argus
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