The Midesk donation that was donated by the Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and McDonald may cause hazards for kids. Photo: Dep. Basic Education/ X
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The Midesk backpack could be more of a hazard than a solution for three million children without desks in South Africa.
South Africa's education system is facing a crisis of crowded classrooms, with the current national learner-to-teacher ratio set at 33:1 (LER). However, some schools have an LER value of 50:1 and higher, and the bulky design of the mobile backpacks may pose challenges in crowded classrooms and schools.
Mrs. Kefilwe Mojapelo, a private psychosocial well-being and social worker, has raised her concern about the backpacks, which have been touted in the news as corporate donations to impoverished schools.
“Based on the escalating number of violence in schools, the desks might be used as weapons, especially the detachable legs,” Mojapelo has warned.
"There are potential tripping hazards and accidents, particularly in classrooms or hallways. This stresses the free mind and spirit of these adolescents who still want to move around freely.”
Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube and official of the MiDesk Global and Western Cape Department of Education
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Phiwokuhle Mnyandu on X said, “Terrible idea. I doubt anyone in the picture would have their child carry their desk to school instead of a book bag. The fact that they are using an adult model for demonstration is indicative of how impractical it looks on some young learners".
Mojapelo argues that the design of backpacks and desks may not be ergonomically sound for young children, as it may strain their back and spine due to their weight and shape.
Long-term use may also lead to poor posture and discomfort. The combined weight of the backpack and desk components could be excessive, potentially causing physical strain and injuries.
Some of these kids use public transport as a way to commute to school every day; the Midesk may cause more difficulties to move around in congested towns and public transport.
“During these movements, there are possibilities that they can collapse and tip over, giving kids serious injuries,”, said Mojapelo.
Lack of infrastructure is causing a lot of problems in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, such as potholes and roads that are still gravel, and some children continue to use grassy and weedy routes.
Dr Farana Boodhram, founder of Midesk Global, says the bags were built to bridge the gap of inequality in education and to assist the Africans without resources.
“The desks come in two sizes: one for younger kids and one for older children, but it lasts 12 years, so a child would be able to grow with it.”
She said the chair was suitable for weights of up to 180 kg and was very sturdy, and claimed the weight is 2 kg.
According to Siviwe Gwarube, the Basic Education Minister, more than two million pieces of equipment - such as school desks, chairs, chalkboards, remain missing from schools, particularly those run by local governments.
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