A GROUP of 14 learners marched from Joe Slovo in Port Elizabeth to the Department of Basic Education in Zwelitsha to protest against the poor state of their schools and education system.
With a list of 10 demands, the learners were determined that their voices be heard.
They were protesting due to what they described as the general lack of concern for their welfare, lack of teachers in their schools, shortage of books and furniture, the prevalence of corporal punishment as a means of discipline, as well as ongoing bullying on their playgrounds and classrooms.
Accompanying the learners on their walk, a teacher, John Lombardo, said that they had tried countless times to lodge complaints and concerns, which had fallen on deaf ears.
“The learners want to raise awareness and let the Department of Basic Education know they deserve more,” Lombardo said.
“We know this will not change their educational environments over night, perhaps not prior to the years they write matric. The problems are many and want to be heard and taken seriously, which has yet to happen,” Lombardo said.
The 263km walk was a relay, with a 20km to 39km walk per day in two separate groups. The learners were driven to their starting points each day from a cottage 10km from Makhanda.
“This walk started as a joke. A learner said we should walk to the local Department of Basic Education this time, and another said we should walk to the one in Gauteng. This was the compromise,” Lombardo said.
The schools participating in the walk were Joe Slovo Primary, Kwamagxaki High, Lungisa High School, Woolhope Secondary School, EZ Kabana High School, Sivuyiseni Primary School, Ndzondelolo High School, Khwezi Lomso Comprehensive School, St James Secondary School, Emafini Primary School and Ethembeni High School.
However, Lombardo indicated that more schools that weren’t physically walking were represented by those learners who were.
Lombardo added that they had been to the local department in Port Elizabeth with no positive feedback.
“We have had a mock funeral for formal education and held a parade as well. We have met with student governing bodies, principals and countless teachers. All that has happened as a result are reprisals faced by our learners.
“We hope this march will at least make the department realise how learners are suffering in schools,” Lombardo said.
