The number of protestsin the country every year is too high and innocent school-going children suffer the consequences.

People who go on strike should make sure that learners are not affected by their actions.

Denying children their right to education is a violation of their human rights.

In Malamulele, Limpopo, strikers prevented learners from going to school for weeks.

During the Black Monday strike by farmers, learners were delayed - or prevented - from writing their final exams due to blocked roads.

Today the strike by taxi operators is expected to cause more havoc for learners.

Given the above instances of strikes, do we really care about the education of our children?

Who is to blame when our learners don't pass their final-year exams and who is to blame for the down-turn in the matric pass rate when the minister of education announces results in January?

Though people have a right to strike, I appeal to all to respect the education of the young ones.

The learners of today are our future leaders.

Thebe Kgwetiane

Maandagshoek, Burgersfort