According to the World Economic Forum, the quality of our state education system ranks 133rd among 142 countries.

This explains better than anything else why more than half of young South Africans are unemployed.

Every child has the right to a decent education that will unlock the job opportunities denied to so many.

The time has come to put in place a new plan for education that puts the rights of pupils above all else and makes the classroom the focal point of education policy.

Perhaps the women of South Africa should consider another march to the Union Buildings, this time to demand quality education for their children.

The budget for education is available, so if the ruling party is serious about addressing these issues it must take political leadership now.

Without such leadership, motions such as this are just words without action.