As the 2026 school year begins, the 2025 National Senior Certificate results once again expose the deep inequalities in South Africa’s education system. Nationally, the pass rate rose to 88%, yet the Eastern Cape recorded the lowest provincial pass rate at 84.17%. While many learners deserve celebration, these results also demand renewed attention to the […]
Tag Archives: Department of Basic Education
10
Jun
Jun
Thousands of learners in the Eastern Cape continue to walk long distances each day to attend school; sometimes for more than 12 kilometres and for over four hours, through bushes, next to busy roads, and over flooded streams. Their routes are often unsafe, with armed threats and thefts a common occurrence, making it a feat […]
Children's Rights, Constitution, Education, Gender Rights, Human Rights, Inequality, Leadership, National Government
We do not have toilets
31
Jan
Jan
In a previous entry, Talita Mshweshwe, shared the story of Siyabonga, who attends school in what is known as a “mud school”. There are approximately 300 mud schools in the Eastern Cape, although the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is not exactly sure how many there are. It is concerning that the DBE has still […]
Children's Rights, Constitution, Education, Gender Rights, Inequality, Legal Resources Centre, Rights to Water
The Mud Schools of the Eastern Cape
31
Jan
Jan
Talita Mshweshwe is a law student from East London doing an internship at the Legal Resources Centre (LRC). She interviewed a young girl named Siyabonga, a grade 7 pupil at Ncincinikwe Senior Primary School in Votini in the Eastern Cape. Ncincinikwe Senior Primary School is one of approximately 300 mud schools in the province. This […]
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