Schoemansdal – After returning from the UK, there has been lots of reflection on the differences between life overseas and here in South Africa. People have asked about the weather, sunsets, foods and the behavior of people. Although these differences were profound, what was the most startling was an education system that is greatly different from the one here in South Africa. Seeing a properly functioning education system, has really prompted me to question the way we educate the children of South Africa. In the UK, the education system helps learners succeed. Instead of letting a slow learner slip through the cracks and just fail, they have systems in place to prevent learners from failing. Starting at age 4, learners are put into a system that seems to care about the future of the children. Their education is monitored and when a problem arises it is solved. Because they are working a proper system, Education Overseas educators are motivated and passionate about their jobs. Classes are not overcrowded, with only 15 learners in one class, which allows the educator to have control over their learners. Have our ministers of education seen school systems overseas? Why is our system in South Africa so different? Learners go through years of school, without gaining any knowledge. Because they are working within a poor education system, teachers are overworked and often left feeling hopeless. This reflects negatively in their classroom performance. Our learners are failing to receive an adequate education. Some might argue that we do not have enough schools to make class sizes smaller or to closely monitor the education of each learner. The problem is with priorities; the education system of South Africa needs to be the number one priority for the government. Instead of spending money on less important things, the money needs to go to the right structures within the education system. After all, the future of our country lies in the hands of our children. Being overseas brings a sense of pride in our culture and way of life here, but it also brought feelings of disappointment. Our education system is outdated and unsatisfactory; it is time for a change.