Education in the spotlight again in Nelson Mandela Bay

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Religious leaders in Port Elizabeth's northern areas led a protest march of parents, teachers and learners on Friday morning.

That's to voice their dissatisfaction with the Eastern Cape education department over a range of issues, including the non-payment of teachers and the shortage of teachers in many schools.

An estimated two hundred people gathered at Cleary Park shopping centre for the march to Gelvandale Stadium which went off peacefully.

Reverend Tyrone Strydom of the Northern Areas Pastor's Forum which is supporting the battle against the Education Department says he was not unhappy with the turn-out.

"We are happy that there is a sufficient amount of people that are saying we are now tired of the department's promises but we are happy and we are happy for the pastor's to come alongside the schools" Strydom said.


Meanwhile, Eastern Cape Education MEC, Mandla Makapula, has acknowledged the issues affecting teachers and schools in the northern areas.

He is currently on a two day visit to Nelson Mandela Bay, to share the Education Department's plans for the rationalisation and alignment of schools, following a government decision that there should only be primary and high schools.