The Southern African Catholics Bishops Conference has weighed in on the Eastern Cape education crisis.
The church body called on the Eastern Cape government to take appropriate action to rescue the floundering provincial education system.
The Catholic Bishops Conference said in a statement on Thursday that if nothing's done the government would be responsible for perpetuating the second class bantustan education system.
Spokesperson, father Chris Townsend, says the lack of infrastructure and the rundown state of schools, as well as the go-slow by teachers, is putting the future of many of our children at risk.
"Teachers as key role players must put the children first and teach them by example to be engaged and responsible members of society, who give meaning and purpose in life by being agents of change for the good of all," he said.
"In order to achieve this, teachers must make teaching a vocation that is marked by conscientious work, professionalism, care, love and a breadth of vision."
"We acknowledge the efforts that are being made to end the ‘go slow’, as well as government’s attempts to arrest the slide to chaos," Father Townsend said.
"Nevertheless we call on national and provincial government to take full charge and control of the situation, work together with SADTU (the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union) to end the impasse as soon as is practically possible. They owe it to the future generations of the Eastern Cape to ensure that the doors of learning are open to all the children in the Province."
