Cape Town - Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, has condemned the government following reports that learners in the Eastern Cape are required to carry or drag plastic classroom desks that convert into school bags.

Maimane criticized the initiative, arguing that the government is neglecting critical issues such as broken school infrastructure and outdated supplies while shifting the burden onto children.

Approximately five schools in the province's rural areas have received donations of the foldable desks.

"Instead of repairing damaged desks and fixing schools, the government is now making children carry their own desks," Maimane posted on X.

"No government minister would make their child do this, so why impose it on ours?" he added.

The rollout has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning whether the desks-despite being designed as a solution to furniture shortages-are practical for students. Concerns have been raised over their weight and the strain they place on young learners, particularly in communities already struggling with systemic neglect in education.

Maimane's remarks reflect broader frustrations about inequality and the widening gap between government officials and the daily realities faced by ordinary citizens.

Parents and teachers have also voiced their concerns, with SABC footage showing children dragging the heavy desks over uneven terrain, further fueling the debate.

The Eastern Cape Department of Education has yet to issue an official response, but mounting public pressure is forcing officials to address both the immediate challenges posed by the desks and the deeper structural issues raised by critics.

What began as a discussion on classroom resources has escalated into a broader demand for accountability and long-overdue reforms in a province long plagued by educational shortcomings.

However, Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has defended the initiative, emphasizing that the desks were approved by the authorities.

"These desks have been endorsed by UNESCO, weigh only two kilograms, and are considered entirely appropriate. Not every child is required to take them home," she stated.

Gwarube further argued that the desks provide an innovative solution, particularly for students who lack a suitable space to complete their homework.