The DA in Mpumalanga welcomes the suspension of the province’s Education Department chief director.
The suspension comes after the premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane visited Russia to establish the reasons behind the freezing of South African students at their respective higher learning institutions.
The department is responsible for over 200 students enrolled for different courses in Russia. However, the students have been subject to unpleasant ordeal this year as the department is facing challenges with the placement agency.
Over the past few months, these students have been pleading for help as they revealed that their accommodation, tuition fees and meal allowances were not taken care of.
Despite the department downplaying the seriousness of the matter. It has now emerged that there was no agreement with the placement agency.
The DA finds it ironic that a senior ranking official within the Department of Education failed to realize the importance of education.
Our education system in the country is in tatters, thanks to the incapable ANC government. It is even more disheartening to witness their administration gamble with the future of our young, dedicated students who have worked hard to be where they are.
As much as we welcome the premier’s decision on the matter, an urgent investigation on the placement agency and the department will be adequate.
A full report stipulating how the department failed to reach an agreement with the agency and recommendations to remedy the situation should be prioritized. This will be in the best interest of learners who have the prospect of studying abroad through this initiative.
The DA will not sit back and watch the ANC government run this initiative to the ground. The department’s shortcomings at schooling level in the province are well documented. These cannot be tolerated at this level, considering that these are students who are on the verge of adding value to the growth of this country.
The DA calls on the MEC of Education Bonakele Majuba and the premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane to urgently find a suitable agency that will work with the department and find a sustainable solution to this matter.