A major blow to education

The national, indefinite teachers strike is a major blow to public education and the efforts of government to improve the quality of education in all our schools.

As a responsible government we have made every effort to find a resolution to the deadlock in the current round of salary negotiations. My engagement with the leadership of the education sector unions has been positive and characterised by a genuine commitment on the part of all parties to act in the interest of education. We remain committed to engage with labour to normalise the situation as soon as possible.

We are sensitive to the needs of teachers. It is for this reason that we have finalised the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for teachers in 2009. The salaries of South African teachers now compare favourably to teachers in other developing nations. In fact, since 2007 the salary of the average qualified teacher (matric plus four years of professional training) has increased by around 40 percent. See the table below:

*Includes the benefits of housing, medical aid, pension and 13th cheque.

A newly qualified teacher entering the system will thus earn a total salary package of R229,790 in 2010.

We recognise the constitutional right of all workers, including teachers, to strike. This is a protected strike and teachers can freely choose to join the industrial action without fear of dismissal or victimisation by the state. However, we call on all striking teachers who are exercising their right to strike to respect the rights of those who decide not to join the industrial action.

I have been very concerned by reports of intimidation, damage to property and the forceful disruption of normal schooling by striking teachers in especially Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

I want to caution these teachers against such actions and am appealing to teacher unions to act decisively to discipline these members. Government will act harshly against anyone making themselves guilty of such criminal actions. The leadership of all teacher unions must ensure that all their members abide by the strike rules and the code of good practice.

The principle of no work no pay will apply during the strike. All provincial education departments have taken the necessary steps to ensure that we are able to apply this policy strictly for the duration of the strike. Such deductions will be implemented with immediate effect and will be reflected in the next salary run.

I want to reiterate that the school governing body (SGB) employed teachers are not included in the collective bargaining processes of the Public Sector Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), and that they are therefore not allowed to join the industrial action. SGBs, as their employers, must ensure that these teachers understand their contractual obligations, and that they continue to fulfil the same.

All our schools will remain open. I have requested our SGB federations to support schools during this difficult time by supervising learners where it is practical to do so.

Parents and communities must ensure that adult supervision is provided at schools at all times. When learners are present without supervision, members of the community must inform the Department of Basic Education as a matter of urgency on the following toll-free number: 0800 202 933. This number should also be used to report all other strike related incidents.

Strike monitoring teams are operating in all education districts. These teams of district and provincial education department officials monitor the impact of the strike in schools and report to the national department on a daily basis. These teams also provide support to schools, as required. The monitoring teams are in constant contact with the local police stations to ensure that we are able to respond speedily to any eventuality.

The department has taken measures to ensure that we are able to mitigate the impact of the strike on learning and teaching, as far as is possible. Provincial education departments will provide learning support materials to learners via the print and electronic media.

The department is working closely with the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Education to continue to provide revision programmes aimed at grades 11 to 12 on both radio and television. A range of high quality education DVDs will also be provided to all districts for use in schools.

I am calling on all grade 12 learners to continue to prepare for the end of year examinations, to stick diligently to their study timetables and to join a study group, if they are not already part of one.

I urge Learner Representatives Councils (RCLs) in schools to assist fellow learners to ensure that studies continue. I have requested educational the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) providing support to grade 12s to scale up their activities during this time. Weekend classes will continue in all provinces.

The final grade 12 examination timetable is fixed and will not be amended. Today there are 63 days left to the start of the grade 12 examinations. Learners are encouraged to use every available opportunity to study and prepare for the examinations. Let's all work together to support the class of 2010.

Government remains committed to find a speedy resolution to the current impasse. A protracted national teachers strike is not in anyone’s interest.

Source: Department of Education