The announcement of a 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 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 will be 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 recent reports of intimidation, damage to public property and the forceful disruption of normal schooling by striking teachers in especially Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
I want to caution these members against such actions and am appealing to teacher unions to act decisively to discipline these members. I have spoken to the ministers of police and justice, and as government we 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 effected at the conclusion of the strike.
I want to reiterate that 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.
We also encourage SGBs and community based organisations (CBOs) to convene urgent, regular meetings to study and monitor the situation at schools and develop relevant plans to respond.
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 will be operating in all districts from today. These teams comprise of district and provincial education department officials and will monitor the impact of the strike and will be reporting to the national department on a daily basis.
These teams will also provide support to schools, as required. The monitoring teams will be in constant contact with the local police stations to ensure that we are able to respond speedily to any eventuality.
A national teachers strike will be very disruptive. The Department has taken measures to ensure that we are able to mitigate its impact on learning and teaching, as far as is possible. Learning support materials will be provided to learners via the print and electronic media. The department is working closely with SABC Education to continue to provide revision programmes aimed at Grades 11-12 on both radio and television. A range of high quality education DVDs will also be provided to all districts for use in schools (provincial initiatives will be added here).
There are 67 days to the start of the matric examinations. 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 have requested educational non-governmental organisations (NGOs) providing support to grade 12s to scale up their activities during this time. Learners are encouraged to use every opportunity available whether after school or over weekends to ensure that they are well prepared for the examinations. Parents must continue to provide support to their children, especially the grade 12s. Let's work together to support the class of 2010.
I urge learner representatives in schools (RCLs) to also take their entrusted responsibility of assisting fellow learners to ensure that studies continue, especially for those that prefer to study in groups.
Government remains committed to find a speedy resolution to the current impasse. A protracted national teachers strike is not in anyone’s interest.
Enquiries:
Hope Mokgatlhe
Cell: 071 680 6849
Source: Department of Education
Statement by the Minister of Basic Education on the announcement of a national teachers' strike by teacher unions
