The Department of Basic Education has long faced the issue of infrastructure shortages, especially the lack of desks in rural schools.

The minister, however, told the members of the National Assembly that there’s a need for policy to regulate how certain donated materials might negatively affect learners.

“Where I agree with the honourable member and the criticism of how some corporate partners advertise with products at schools, is that we must have a policy that says how do we manage the kind of branding and advertisements that happen in schools in a way that doesn’t harm the learners, but assist us with the gap,” she said.

Gwarube added that the partnerships with private companies would continue, as the government cannot meet the demand for school desks alone.

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On Sunday, IOL News reported that Congress of the People (COPE) has joined the voices of concerned citizens and civil organisations in condemning an “alarming trend” of corporate branding infiltrating schools.

This followed the government’s decision to roll out desks that convert into a school bag in the Eastern Cape, benefiting five rural schools.

COPE argued that the move represented a dangerous compromise of children's rights and a betrayal of the state's constitutional duty to protect and uplift the most vulnerable.

“South Africa's children are not billboards for junk food corporations.”

“At a time when our nation grapples with an obesity epidemic and rising non-communicable diseases, disproportionately affecting working-class and rural black communities, this partnership exposes children to predatory marketing of high-fat, sugar, and salt foods,” the party said.

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Education Minister defends McDonald's school desk partnership amid outcry