Officials of the Department of Basic Education in Parliament have been cooked in a small pot by members who want to know about plans to deal with the problem of students from other countries, and those in this country who do not have IDs.
This follows a report presented to these members, which reveals that there are 610,322 students in local schools, who do not have identity cards. Of this number, 362,571 are in this country and 247,755 are immigrants. The investigation into students who do not have IDs was conducted by the Education Labor Relations Council (ELRC).
The Chairperson of the Basic Education Committee in Parliament, Ms. Joy Maimela, wanted to know what is being done to ensure that students in this country get identity cards? He also asked what is the use of teaching immigrant students in this country, who end up not being able to show their certificates they have received because they do not have IDs?
“What plan does the Ministry have so that the students in this country can finally get their identity cards? There must be cooperation between the Ministry of Home Affairs, so that these students can get their identity cards,” he said.
Other members also said in unison that these students are no longer able to receive government grants because they do not have IDs.
Mr. Sipheto Mkhize of the MKP party, complained that the number of students without ID is very high.
“The Department of Home Affairs must intervene in the problem of students who do not have identity cards. We want to know the Ministry’s plans to solve the problem of students who do not have identity cards.”
Ms Lerato Ngobeni of ActionSA expressed her regret and said that this matter must be dealt with immediately.
“It needs to be fixed for these students who don’t have IDs. We can’t remain silent as if nothing happened. The Department must work with the Ministry of Home Affairs so that these students can get IDs.”
The report revealed that Gauteng is the province with the most students without ID. There are 228,000 in that province. 102,100 are in this country and 125,900 are from other countries.
In KwaZulu-Natal there are 109 000 students without ID. 86 4780 are in this country and 23 300 are foreigners.
The Director General of the Ministry, Mr. Mathanzima Mweli, said that there is a team that will work with the Ministry of Home Affairs on the issue affecting undocumented students.
“I am happy that a meeting will be called that brings together these two departments to discuss plans to deal with the problem of these students,” he said.
As it happens, there are widespread marches across the country to expel foreigners who are in the country illegally. Mrs. Maimela said that since there are marches by local people complaining about illegal immigrants, these statistics will help them to be able to answer how many students are in schools.
The Ministry of Education stated that they cannot expel or not teach students who are in the country illegally because the law does not allow it.