The United Democratic Movement is shocked by the reports that more two weeks into the 2012 academic year there are schools in Limpopo Province that are yet to receive equipment from the Department of Education. Mphe-thantsha Secondary School, a newly built school from Moletji village in Limpopo, is a white elephant because it is yet to be allocated teachers, desks, chairs and study material from the Limpopo Department of Education.

We also learn that pupils at the Mahlontebe Secondary School from the same province have gone on strike demanding that teachers who had sexual relationships with girls at the school be removed. Reports indicate that even at this school learning has not taken place more than two weeks into the 2012 academic year.

These stories make a mockery of Government's media assurances about everything being on track in the Education Department.

These events leave us with an askance view of Government's assurances about its commitment to improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of our Education System.

We call on the Minister of Education to urgently address these challenges because our children deserve better.