The Department of Basic Education’s partnership with fast-food giant McDonalds for branded foldable desks is due to budget constraints.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube defended the partnership saying the department “needs all the help it can get”.

Gwarube said the reality is that 13.5 million learners and the current budget simply can’t meet the demands of the basic education sector which is battling with the budget constraints.

The minister was addressing the National Assembly yesterday where the issue of branded desks was brought up.

The public has not held back in slamming the department for allowing corporates to turn children into branded billboards.