‘Absolutely bizarre’ – Minister’s foldable desk plan draws mockery and criticism

Desks

Cape Town – The Department of Basic Education and Minister Siviwe Gwarube are facing criticism for introducing foldable desks that disadvantaged students must carry to school daily.

The campaign, rolled out in rural areas of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, aims to address infrastructure challenges.

The desks, developed by MiDesks Global with sponsorship from Old Mutual and McDonald’s, function as a wheelie schoolbag that converts into a desk and chair with a solar light and USB charging port.

On Monday, Gwarube and the Department of Basic Education distributed the foldable desks to underprivileged students in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

She personally distributed desks to Grade 1 learners in Bo Kaap, Western Cape, describing them as a “brilliant solution”.

“Today, I handed over Mi Desks to Grade 1 learners at St Paul’s Primary school in Bo Kaap, thanks to a generous donation from @McDonalds. @MiDeskGlobal manufactures wheelie school bags that transform into a fully functional desk and chair, easy for learners to use both at home and at school.

“This donation is a testament to how partnership and innovation can positively impact a child’s life. Every child deserves learning environment and appropriate infrastructure that is conducive.

“Thank you to Mi Desk for this brilliant solution and to Mc Donald’s for their continued support,” the minister posted on X

While the initiative was praised by officials, many South Africans on social media called it impractical, questioning whether young students should carry heavy desks over long distances instead of the government providing proper school infrastructure.

Critics labelled it as “poverty glorification” and a failure to address systemic issues in education.

Take a look at some of the reactionson social media:

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