Lerato Mbhiza
President Cyril Ramaphosa said while some learners adapted swiftly to online learning during the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, others, particularly those from poorer communities experienced greater challenges.
Ramaphosa was addressing the 10th Education International African regional conference at the Sandton Convention Center on Tuesday where he spoke about the devastating impact the pandemic had on South Africa, saying as we navigated the turbulent waters, the world was confronted with political upheavals and conflicts.
“We saw how rural communities and students with disabilities were disproportionately affected. With schooling disrupted, inequalities in education were exacerbated”.
Ramaphosa added that Covid-19 and the lockdowns which resulted in schools, businesses and other public enterprises being forced to shut down, further strained social fabric, affecting the livelihoods of countless individuals and denying many children their fundamental right to education.
On the other hand, the pandemic hastened digital transformation and altered patterns of work and education.
“It forced us to confront and appreciate the essential nature of health care, revealing both the robustness and fragility of our societies in the face of hardship”.
Ramaphosa also added that the education system needs to be decolonised as education has become increasingly important in the world.
“The discussions at this conference, focusing on tackling racism, decolonising education and promoting democracy, human rights and trade union rights, could not be more timely”‘.
“The project of decolonising education in Africa is not just a matter of academic interest. It is a pressing need,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa told delegates that they need to challenge colonial theories and practices to build resilient education systems that are centered on African perspectives and experiences.
“This requires a shift away from a Eurocentric worldview to embrace a more diverse and inclusive perspective. We must acknowledge and value the knowledge systems of all peoples and integrate them into our curricula and knowledge selection processes ” said Ramaphosa. The responsibility to nurture and defend the right to education extends to all parts of society”.
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