School bag desks burden children

A SCHOOL bag that doubles as a desk sounds clever on paper until you realise what it means for the many Eastern Cape learners expected to carry them.

What was meant to be an innovative idea has become an example of how a poorly thought-out policy can do more harm than good. The government insists that the foldable desks, which double as school bags, are a practical solution for the ongoing furniture shortages, but practicality does not outweigh the risks.

The bags are too heavy for small children to carry long distances, especially on rural roads. Add textbooks, stationery, lunch and water and the 2kg weight only increases. The strain on their tiny bodies could lead to long-term health issues, including back and joint problems.

In a recent post on X, Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane criticised the government, saying: “No government minister would put their child through this, so why put our children through this?”

The Eastern Cape's education crisis is not new. Decades of poor infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms and a lack of basic resources have forced desperate measures, but making children carry their own desks is not a solution.

Parents and opposition parties have condemned the move, questioning why the government is not prioritising proper desks and fixing school facilities. The excuse of budget constraints does not hold water when millions were spent elsewhere.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has defended the policy, calling the desks "innovative", but true innovation would mean ensuring every child has a proper desk in a functional classroom, without sacrificing their health in the process.

The children of the Eastern Cape deserve better, not back-breaking quick fixes. If the government is serious about education, it should stop shifting the burden onto the shoulders of children.