SA flag must be on school uniforms from 2017
Source: Timeslive
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has stirred parents into a new debate after stating that he would like the South African flag on all school uniforms.
Lesufi took to Twitter to tell his more than 22‚000 followers: “My wish is to ensure that from 2017 all school uniforms must have our SA Flag just like national sporting teams.”
This patriotic proposal follows on the Department of Arts and Culture’s Flag in Every School Campaign‚ which started in 2014. The campaign involves hoisting the national flag‚ the correct way of singing the national anthem‚ reciting the preamble of the Constitution and learning about our national symbols.
While Lesufi did not say whether he was proposing the emblem should be stitched onto a lapel‚ a badge pin or if it should be a more elaborate design‚ parents immediately questioned the additional cost of the change.
“Seriously? Will that be free? Because it costs us parents a whole lot of money!‚” Bernice Le Roux @bernice__leroux said.
James Brodie @Gyrator thought there was a better goal for the MEC‚ stating: “Focus on educating the children please.”
Lesley Blake @JoburgBlake also chimed in‚ saying: “@Lesufi INSTEAD: Make sure each school has enough teachers. Make sure each Principal is at his post because YOU chose him‚ not SADTU.” The comment came as the country is waiting to see a report commissioned by the Education Department into the alleged buying and selling of teacher posts‚ implicating members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union.
Lesufi’s idea garnered support too‚ with Bus.Reg.Cipc.Beecert @OhNganeYami tweeting: “Visionary Mr Lesufi‚ very proud to be a South African right now”.
Radovan Dimitri @FidellCastro commented‚ “Bra @Lesufi can make other Education MECs non-existent in as far as innovation is concerned. Thumbs up”.
“It’s very doable‚ leadership‚” iMtolo @Thulani_Mtolo added.
Kwena Sekoaila @Skoax took a contrarian stance in the debate: “That is going to be a tough one… I am against school uniforms”.