The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has urged district officials in Sterkspruit and the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) to find each other.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, says it is puzzling that Sadtu will only be disruptive in Sterkspruit. “Sadtu is has strong branches throughout the country. Why have they chosen not to be cooperative in this district? What is it that the district officials are not doing correctly? Are officials doing what they are supposed to do?” Ms Gina asked. The Committee is visiting Sterkspruit following disruptions during the year.
“This is a fact-finding mission to ascertain the extent to which schooling has been compromised, and what solutions could be found on the matter of Sadtu and district-officials. Schools cannot be operated without monitoring and inspections. This is at odds with the objectives of the fifth administration and government. This is quite strange and worries the Committee. Definitely, education had been affected and we are approaching the end of the year exams,” she said.
Earlier in the week, the Committee visited Kuruman in the Northern Cape where schooling was disrupted as well for four months. The Committee was told catch-up programmes would be introduced in Kuruman, and that Grade 12 learners would not sit for final exams in December.
The committee will also meet Sterkspruit Civic Forum, district and provincial officials, traditional leadership and organised labour.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
To keep up to date with the work of Parliament, please go to the daily Parliamentary Papers:
Parliamentary Programme, Order Papers, Minutes of Proceedings, ATCs.
