This, amidst protest actions by members of the EFF and ANC over the alleged exclusion of 55 learners from the Hoërskool Overvaal in Vereeniging. Venter says political parties should rather refrain from getting involved in highly sensitive issues such as the Overvaal case, where there was a clear-cut court order. The High Court judgment had found that the Department of Education’s attempt to introduce English at the school was unlawful.

Venter adds that what is currently being seen in surrounding communities near the school is the hardening of attitudes largely fuelled by politicians. He says the state of education is bad and political parties are increasingly using such issues to make political statements.

He says the state of education within the country urgently needs to be addressed as the on-going protest action further creates political tension and polarisation in the country.

“We are wasting time and resources on battles about mother tongue education. We should focus on getting all children educated and improving our education system”. 

 He concludes the best possible way to deal with the situation at Overvaal is for the SAPS to apply the court order and ensure the safety of children. He says as much as political parties and everyone have the right to protest, they should do it far from the school and the police should ensure that.

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