Namhla Tshisela

Namhla Tshisela

The Young Communist League (YCL) has pledged to intensify its drive that would ensure the availability of free education to all children in South Africa.

YCL national secretary Buti Manamela said yesterday that as part of its Joe Slovo Right to Learn Campaign, the league would evaluate the state of no fee schools.

"It does not help if the majority of no fee schools do not receive money from the government on time. Part of the campaign is to ensure that all schools are ready for the new school year," said Manamela.

National Education Department spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said that 40percent of South African schools were no fee schools.

Ngqengelele said 5million children in the country's poorest areas benefited from the no fee schools. He said the schools received a minimum of R500 from the government for every child enrolled.

"This, however, does not mean that parents cannot contribute towards the maintenance of the school," he said.

The YCL will launch the campaign tomorrow in Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Province schools to assess their preparations for the new school year.

Manamela said the YCL will revisit the schools later in the year to evaluate their progress and their problems.

"The league will continue to fight for free education from primary to tertiary level," he said.