Education on strike action

25 May 2007

The State as Employer received notice from the South African Democratic
Teacher's Union (Sadtu) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers
Union (Nehawu) that they will be embarking on strike action. The date targeted
is 25 May 2007 with pickets and marches.

The Department of Education, in collaboration with provincial education
departments, has put systems in place to minimise the impact of the strike
action on learning and the safety of learners:

Strike Management/Contingency Plans

The Department of Education (DoE) will act as the nerve centre in monitoring
and collating information relating to the impact of the strike action.
Information will be given to the Minister of Education, the Director-General
and the Department of Public Service and Administration. Heads of provincial
education departments have appointed strike management co-ordinators who will
ensure that all district offices and education institutions channel information
relating to the strike to one central point. All provincial education
departments have developed strike management contingency plans which relate
to:

* informing parents and learners of the impending strike action
* informing principals of their responsibility to safeguard learners affected
by the strike action
* ensuring that learning continues.

It was also made clear to the principals who intend participating in the
strike that they must serve notice in advance to their immediate supervisor and
or the district office. Where there is no principal due to the strike, either
the deputy principal or a delegated official from the district office will
manage the school. No principal may close the school for the day without the
approval of the head of a provincial education department or his delegated
official in the regional and/or district office. Only after a full assessment
of the percentage of absenteeism by teachers will the head of department make a
decision relating to the closure of the school.

Learners will be called to assemblies and will be informed of the day's
programme. School governing bodies and parents are called upon to provide
assistance, especially where there are insufficient personnel. This is to
ensure that the learners remain at school as the Department of Education is
concerned about the safety of learners.

For more information, contact:

Mr John Mojapelo
Tel: 012 312 5024
Cell: 083 650 0033
E-mail: mojapelo.j@doe.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Education
25 May 2007