Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has committed to bridging the gap in educational inequality particularly for South Africa’s child learners at foundation level and called on the private sector to play its role in this regard.

Gwarube this week said the majority of young learners were facing systemic disadvantages as education was not an issue of intelligence but rather one of access and opportunity.

She said that as children approach the age of seven, they embark on their educational journeys often ill-equipped for the challenges that lie ahead as formal education begins with limited exposure to the tools essential for literacy.

Gwarube said formal education begins with limited exposure to the tools essential for literacy and numeracy for many South African children as they often lack engagement with reading material until they reach Grade 4 and thus struggle when evaluated through international benchmarking tests.

“We still, to this day, have two different 10-year-olds who achieve two different sets of results not because one is smarter than the other, but because of what is available to them. And so, if we are going to really undo the inequality in South Africa, we’re going to do it only if we focus on education and give it our all and give our focus to them,” Gwarube said.

“And so that's why we've also undertaken a strategic reorientation of departments to say we are focusing solely and with really heavy investment in the foundation phase. Because we know that if you have a solid foundation, that foundation will carry you throughout your journey.

“We don't have to obsess about the national pass rate. We must obsess [about whether] our children can read and write. And the only way we can do that is if we focus on these little ones who went from a very young age. If children are able to read and read for meaning, they are able to take difficult subjects such as math, science, technology, accounting, later on in their high school years. So if we don't get the foundation right, we are missing a trick.”

Gwarube said the support of private sector partners to the education system was crucial, government efforts alone were not enough to meet the educational needs of the growing population.

Gwarube was speaking at the handover event where McDonald’s South Africa donated Mi Desks to two primary schools in Cape Town earlier this week in a bid to improve learning conditions for young students. This donation addresses the lack of proper school furniture, with Grade 1 learners currently writing on the floor.

The Midesk is an innovative wheeled school bag that transforms into a fully functional desk and chair, complete with a solar-powered light and a USB charging portal, aligning with six of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda.

The Mi Desk, an innovative and mobile learning solution, has been endorsed by the Department of Science and Innovation and UNESCO as a practical tool to enhance classroom experiences in underprivileged communities.

This donation marks the beginning of a broader commitment by McDonald’s South Africa to identify and support schools across the country that are in dire need of this basic infrastructure.

Daniel Padiachy, chief marketing officer at McDonald’s South Africa, emphasised the company’s commitment to education and community support, saying the initiative sent a clear message to these young minds that they were valued and that their education matters.

“The desks we provide today will shape the leaders of tomorrow. And by investing in our children’s education, we are investing in the future of South Africa. Education is key to the country’s future, and every child deserves a proper learning environment. The Mi Desk is a practical solution to help bridge the gap for pupils who lack basic resources, enabling them to succeed in their studies,” Padiachy said.

“As we celebrate this achievement, let us also recognize that the work is far from over. Thousands of children across our country still lack the basic infrastructure needed to support their education. We call upon all stakeholders—government, private sector, civil society, and individuals—to continue working together to bridge this gap.”

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