The Freedom Charter

Photo Credit: mbeki.org

In 1955, The South African Congress Alliance issued a statement called the Freedom Charter. It was the result of collecting “freedom demands” from the people and combining them into one document. It starts with “We the people of South Africa…” It’s most famous phrase is “The people shall govern!” It is an passionate testament to the the collective cry for equality. Here is an excerpt of the section related to education, an ideal that is desperately worth pursuing and achieving.

"...The aim of education shall be to teach the youth to love their people and their culture, to honour human brotherhood, liberty and peace; Education shall be free, compulsory, universal and equal for all children; Higher education and technical training shall be opened to all by means of state allowances and scholarships awarded on the basis of merit; Adult illiteracy shall be ended by a mass state education plan....".