School dropout, repetition rates alarming - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country's school dropout and repetition rates are intolerably high.
Ramaphosa spoke at the opening of this year's Basic Education Sector Lekgotla Conference in Johannesburg.
He said the government should double its efforts to ensure the country’s children stand on equal footing.
Ramaphosa added high rates of school dropout can be attributed to a number of factors, such as general violence in some neighbourhoods, teenage pregnancy, and poverty.
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"As the government, we have continued to pursue pro-poor policies to systematically tackle the multifaceted factors impeding progress in basic education. These policies encompass the establishment of non-fee-paying schools. Indeed, 80% of schools in our country do not require fees.
"Moreover, more than 9.6 million children benefit from the national school nutrition programme, free textbooks, scholar transport, and child support grants provided by the Department of Social Development. We commend the many initiatives to provide learning support where the need is greatest."
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