Head of Communication at Mpumalanga Department of Education, Jasper Zwane, has just released a media statement about the state of affairs in Umjindi this morning, when children were taken from classes to participate in community riots. It reads as follows:

Today marks 37 school days since the re-opening of schools and there are only 16 school days remaining before schools close for the first quarter.

The first quarter is very critical in advancing the delivery of quality teaching and learning, in laying a solid foundation and like it is said, “a good start determines a successful ending".

We are deeply concerned when there are disruptions of classes because they are depriving children their constitutional right to education.

This happens beside a clarion call we continue to make to our communities that we must try everything possible to ensure that teaching and learning does not get affected so that the province can improve the performance of learners.

We request learners to take advantage of some of the direct support programmes such as radio lessons that are taking place on Ligwalagwala FM, Ikwekwezi FM and in the 11 Community Radio Stations. There is also an Education programme on DSTV 319 that they can take advantage of.

These community protests impact negatively on the implementation of programmes aimed at improving learner performance in the district.

Curriculum coverage and common tasks are affected.

Our communities must realize that we do not have the luxury of time. Our children are losing out.

We request that the community should work collaboratively with the Department to improve teaching and learning practices, to create an enabling school environment and to ensure that our children benefit by attending their classes.

While we make this call, we will continue to engage communities in face to face meetings to make them realise that we must work together to build a bright future for our province and its people.