The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Eastern Cape wishes all Grade 12 learners well in their final examinations. These exams are important as they are a gateway to future prosperity.
Education is a cornerstone for every nation. Every nation that cares for its future will regard education as an investment in the youth in shaping a better future for the nation. Education is at the centre of a country’s development. It has a pivotal role in addressing the pressing issues of unemployment, poverty and other social inequalities in society.
COSATU is encouraged by the efforts made by the provincial government in improving the state of the schools, considering the state-of-the-art schools across the province. This is an effort to bridge the urban/rural divide in the quality of schools’ infrastructure. The better the equipment that is used, the better the outcomes. This is coupled with the level of commitment displayed by teachers who make extraordinary efforts to improve the results and contribute to shaping a brighter future for the learners.
The Federation has been consistent in calling for the alignment of basic and tertiary education to the skills required by the labour market to avoid the mismatch that leads to many graduates finding themselves unemployed.
The efforts of the Eastern Cape Department of Education in ensuring the state of readiness for the exams as announced by MEC Fundile Gade are appreciated.
COSATU hopes that there will be no challenges with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme which in the past resulted in academic exclusion of most working-class students. Accessibility and affordability of education must be in line with the spirit of the Freedom Charter, “The doors of learning and culture shall be opened to all”.
Good luck to the Class of 2024!
Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape
Mkhawuleli Maleki (COSATU Provincial Secretary)
Mobile: 082 339 5482
Email: mkhawuleli@cosatu.org.za
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