A Message of Hope from the Institute of Race Relations...

Hope is precious. It is the difference between a beating heart and a beaten-down soul.

Government support should be about building hope, especially for those in the most hopeless situations. 

In a conversation with colleagues earlier this week, we stumbled onto the reality that the Grade 1 child on their first day of big school carries so much hope.

It is a sad reality that this hope is currently being suffocated rather than nurtured.  

Our children's futures are stolen by dilapidated classrooms, pit toilets, and absent teachers.

The hearts of millions of parents cry out every day: "Surely there must be a better way?"

There is. And it's one of the boldest ideas in the Freedom From Poverty Bill.

It's called tax-funded education vouchers.

Every year, the South African government spends over R300 billion on basic education.

That's more than R20,000 per pupil. And yet, our education system is in crisis.

Instead of faceless, distant government officials making life and death decisions, why not just empower struggling parents to make the right choices for their kids?

The Freedom From Poverty Bill makes this a reality.

Instead of billions going to failing schools and destructive teachers' unions, the law provides a means-tested school voucher for every pupil in need - not an unconditional handout that can be perverted or wasted.

This gives every parent or guardian what they need to send their child to the best possible school.

In reality, what does this mean? 

Firstly, struggling parents get the dignity of choice. No more begging for school places at the mercy of political interests. 

Secondly, failing schools cease to be bottomless pits of public money.

For the first time, parents will have the resources and the power to fundamentally turn around failing schools.

Thirdly, parents in poor areas get the financial power to attract education entrepreneurs to create world-class schools where our communities need them most. 

Instead of a race to the bottom, education will become a climb to the top. 

This future isn't wishful thinking.

With your help, and with growing support for the Freedom From Poverty Bill, this is #WhatSACanBe.

IRR research has found real case studies of tax-funded school vouchers bringing real transformation.

This is the education transformation South Africa needs.

Add your name now to support the Freedom From Poverty Bill: https://irr.org.za/whatsacanbe/freedom-from-poverty

South Africans are suffering.

But together we can reclaim and nurture the hope of that Grade 1 child on their first day of big school.

Thank you for believing with us in #WhatSACanBe. 

Best,

Makone Maja
IRR Campaign Manager

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With very best wishes,

Chris Wilkinson. 

I'm simply a Messenger of Hope for patriotic South Africans who want Positive Change..

As a Senior Citizen, I appreciate any help with the cost of living via:  

Thank you. 

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