The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the attempt by the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, to influence how learners should vote in the upcoming 29 May general elections.
This follows MEC Chiloane’s recent abuse of political power in our schools. The DA is in possession of a memo sent to all Johannesburg East District Directors and Grade 12 Life Orientation educators instructing them to retract the Life Orientation project titled Poor access to clean water issued to learners on 17 April 2024. According to the memo, the retraction was based on the fact that the topic may have an impact on learners’ voting choices and certain elements may appear to advocate for specific views or influence voting options.
See the memo here.
This sudden decision by MEC Chiloane raises questions because the Grade 12 learners were supposed to investigate and finish the assignment before the beginning of examinations towards the end of May. It is unacceptable for the MEC to dictate what topics learners must research because he is anxious about what they may discover.
MEC Chiloane is aware of Gauteng’s severe service delivery failures, among them a lack of access to clean water. Learners are witnessing this water crisis; for this reason, he believes that any chance to discuss the subject would expose the ANC’s shortcomings and show why the party should not be allowed to govern this province after the elections.
The violation and subversion of the right to free education that we have fought for as a country is unacceptable. Education is a fundamental right that should be upheld without political interference, and any actions that undermine this right must be rectified immediately.
Since some of these learners are affected by the lack of access to clean water, it is important to spread awareness of this issue by allowing learners to gain more insight into its causes and possible solutions rather than trying to conceal the failures of the ANC in the 30 years of our democracy.
The DA demands that MEC Chiloane stop meddling with the curriculum going forward and denounces this action. His decision to retract this Life Orientation activity has severe effects, such as being a waste of resources and causing stress for learners who should be studying for their upcoming examinations rather than having to go and research a different subject in less time.
The DA will engage the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga and MEC Chiloane to ascertain why they are politicising the curriculum. Schools should remain learning environments free from any form of political interference.