Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa

Lobby group Equal Education (EE) has slammed the government for what it says is an ongoing failure to meet the legislated minimum norms and standards for school infrastructure.

EE's Rone McFarlane says South Africans must not be distracted by the promises of quick fixes as politicians try and score election points.

In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he wants a tablet device for every pupil in South African schools within six years.

Read: Tablets in classrooms shouldn't substitute quality teaching, says scientist

However, McFarlane says the government has failed to deliver the basics such as well-trained teachers and adequate school infrastructure.

She dismisses Ramaphosa's remarks as a cheap electioneering tactic that was not backed up by any budget allocation.

While these things sound exciting, research doesn't support that providing every learner with a tablet is the magic trick to fixing education.

— Rone McFarlane, Co-Head of Research - Equal Education

The things needed to fix education aren't shiny new promises, they're getting the basics right and we haven't been able to do that.

— Rone McFarlane, Co-Head of Research - Equal Education

McFarlane lambasted the Minister of Basic Education who is three years late in providing proper sanitation, infrastructure, water and electricity for all schools as outlined in the Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure.

One cannot help but feel despondent when something as basic as electricity supply or decent and safe toilets are something we are still trying to get right.

— Rone McFarlane, Co-Head of Research - Equal Education

Listen to the full discussion with Equal Education:

This article first appeared on CapeTalk : Don't get distracted - govt has failed to fix SA schools, says Equal Education