To improve education, SADTU must match its words with its deeds. Any discussion on education in South Africa inevitably begins with a litany of its failings. These collectively constitute an “education crisis”. Like most truths that are repeated often enough, this litany has turned into political cliché and lost the power to shock. That is why the new angle, in a speech by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga this week, got people listening again.

A Durban high school teacher has landed in hot water over remarks she made in her classroom, comparing her pupils’ behaviour to that of President Jacob Zuma. The incident, for which the Reservoir Hills Secondary School teacher has been given a written warning, happened on Tuesday last week.

The majority of South Africa’s teachers are dedicated professionals who give of their best at all times and serve the needs of their pupils, acting basic education director-general Bobby Soobrayan said on Thursday.
Reacting to media reports – following a presentation to a parliamentary portfolio committee on Wednesday, at which he tabled a document stating “too [...]

Too many school teachers cannot pass the tests their pupils sit, the basic education department said on Wednesday.
There are also serious problems with teachers’ commitment to their tasks, according to a document tabled by the department’s acting director general, Bobby Soobrayan, at a briefing for members of Parliament’s basic education portfolio committee.
“Too many teachers [...]