I am happy if it's DA policy, because it took it from our icon Nelson Mandela because there is nothing that you could have come up with! [Interjections.]
As noted in the state of the nation address, all successful societies have one thing in common - they invest in education, while decent salaries and conditions of service play an important role in attracting, motivating and retaining skilled teachers.
Hon Speaker, the transition of education from apartheid education to education for all is long and rocky. We have come a long way, yet we still have a long way to go. We believe that within two decades, we have made great inroads and covered a lot of ground with regard to our vision of quality education for all. While we believe that more still needs to be done, we should not shy away from good stories emanating from our programmes.
Hon Speaker, in his closing address at the conclusion of the 52nd national conference held in Polokwane in 2007, the President of the ANC, Comrade Jacob Zuma, reminded us all that, as a collective and through our structures, we need to create a united ANC that recognises the legacy left by Comrades O R Tambo, Albert Luthuli and Nelson Mandela. And that is indeed what we are doing as we are putting education as a priority in our government. [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, the question of creating a caring and supporting learning and teaching environment for learners and educators is at the core of our efforts towards ensuring access to quality education. This speaks directly to our task of addressing health, social, psychological and emotional barriers that prevent learners from participating fully in the teaching and learning activities.
The ANC believes that every school should inspire learners and educators to want to come to school and learn in order to make the best of their potential. I am sure that we are going in the correct direction, even through the programmes that are offered at school.
It is a pity that the curriculum that is offered at school is the curriculum whose aim is to shape our learners holistically. By holistically we mean when a child behaves like a member of society, the way a child dresses, the way one presents oneself. It is a pity seeing that some people have escaped those efforts which our government is making. We have great evidence in this House, where you can easily see that this person did not undergo our education which is trying to shape all of us to be responsible citizens of this country. [Applause.]
South Africans have the right to a basic education, including adult basic education and further education. According to the Bill of Rights in the country's Constitution, the state has an obligation through reasonable measures to progressively make this education available and accessible. South Africa has one of the highest rates of public investment in education in the world.
At about 7% of gross domestic product and 20% of total state expenditure, the government spends more on education than on any other sector. Education at all levels remains a top priority of the ANC government.
In 1999, our icon Nelson Mandela made a powerful statement in this House on the constitutional mandate of the legislature and institutions supporting constitutional democracy. He said:
Because the people of South Africa finally chose a profoundly legal path to their revolution, those who frame and enact the Constitution and law are in the vanguard of the fight for change. It is in this legislature that the instruments have been fashioned to create a better life for all. It is here that oversight of government has been exercised. It is here that our society with all its formations has had an opportunity to influence policy and its implementation.
[Applause.]
The ANC decided, at its national conference in Polokwane, to assign top priority to education. In order to give practical expression to this decision, we felt that the then Department of Education was too big and overburdened, with a vast and comprehensive series of tasks. So, as I have said, our President took that bold step of dividing it into two departments.
Hon Speaker, during 2010 the Minister of Basic Education, hon Angie Motshekga - under the guidance of our President - declared that there would be a plan for schools in South Africa called "Action Plan 2014", and that this would form part of a larger vision called "Schooling 2025". It is important that you, as a South African, should know about the action plan of Schooling 2025, especially if you are the parent or guardian of a learner in a school.
It is important to tell you this because education has been elevated as a societal issue, so this plan clearly gives you what the ANC government will be doing to make Grades R to 12 schooling better, because it explains how you can contribute towards achieving the goals of Schooling 2025.
Hon Speaker, helping people to develop their skills and enhance their capabilities is an essential part of a sustainable strategy for tackling poverty. Education, training and innovation are central to this. Highly educated and trained individuals have much better chances in the labour market and a nation with highly educated citizens, particularly in science, engineering and technology and the humanities. Census 2011 provides ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]
The ANC supports this Budget Vote. [Applause.]