We Don't Need No Education?

The problem with stupid people is that they often believe that everyone else is dumber than they are. It's a problem.

Having a look at the reports about Matric results makes me wonder if we have a classic case of the blind leading the blind. Now, I'm not saying that any of our school leavers who either did or didn't pass matric are stupid. Quite the contrary, learning is an integral part of growing up and old, anyone can do it in the right environment, of that I am certain. My concerns are directed to the Department of Mis-Education.

I'm not sure what they're doing there but I do know that all the sprouting off about investing the youth and therefore the future sounds like crap shoot to me. Are we really investing? The sentiment from the Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is that if you failed matric - chin up and try again. Mmmm. Maybe what she meant to say was 'the real world can be pretty dodgy so stay in school and finish your education - its the smartest thing you will EVER do.' Maybe that's what she meant but it came out as a casual, dismissive and cliched 'comfort' to all the kids who have failed.

Who's failing who though? I can almost hear Whitney Houston whispering her belief that children are the future. Its unfortunate that the Greatest Love in this country is less about encouraging children to cultivate dreams and giving them the grounding to pursue them and far more about personal gains, a lack of responsibility and basically a job poorly done. Its detention for life when a country fails in their education system. Saturday detention for that matter.

For all the young men and women who passed - well done. Really. For those who didn't - finish school, it'll be the start to many things you will finish and wait for it...its important. Simply that.

But lest we get negative, here's hoping for a turn around in the education department. One that will yield success as proof of efficacy. Viva la revolucion!