Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has called on corporate South Africa to work with government in investing in education upliftment programmes.
Motlanthe, together with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and Deputy Minister Enver Surty, had a breakfast meeting with the South African business fraternity on Monday in Sandton.
The Deputy President highlighted the problems which blocked the path to progress in the education sector.
"In addressing these challenges, with the view to achieving our strategic objectives, strong partnerships are needed. As we are already doing in other sectors, we can succeed in overcoming the challenges facing us in education if we work together," Motlanthe said.
He noted that the country continued to grapple with backlogs in infrastructure and facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries and sporting amenities.
Many learners still left the schooling system under-prepared for the world of work and life challenges, with some leaving even before completing secondary school.
The Deputy President placed emphasis on social partnerships as a means of ensuring the needs of school children were met in a holistic manner, in order to keep them in the education system.
Rural and township schools had the most pressing needs. Motlanthe said contributions were needed in the areas of bursaries, scholarships, teacher development and adult education.
