Union (SADTU) rejection of the occupation-specific dispensation for
teachers
23 October 2007
SADTU's rejection of the occupation-specific dispensation comes as a
surprise and a disappointment to the Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor
MP.
Speaking from Paris where she is attending the 34th general conference of
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), she
said today, "The rejection of the occupation-specific dispensation is
surprising especially given our intention to improve the remuneration levels of
teachers. It is a disappointment and a setback for the education sector. There
is nothing vague in government's undertaking to improve the salaries of
teachers."
SADTU has promised a counter-proposal. The Minister eagerly awaits the
document, but points out that it would be impossible to accept the 4,5% general
increase across the board that SADTU demands. The occupation-specific
dispensation is a revised salary structure that is unique to each identified
occupation in the public service. Currently, employees in the public service
are all part of the same salary structure.
The new salary dispensation is part of government's strategy to improve our
ability to attract and retain skilled employees. The revised salary structures
will result in teachers receiving substantially higher salary increases. It
will also put in place proper career-pathing for teachers, recognise seniority,
and reward performance.
The occupation-specific dispensation recognises that there was little or no
salary progression for teachers in the period 1996 to 2003 and compensates for
this in the new salary structures proposed for implementation on 1 January
2008. Two in ten teachers will receive increases of 10 percent more than
before. Five in ten educators will receive increases of between three percent
and ten percent.
The Minister has agreed to SADTU's request for an urgent meeting and remains
hopeful that the SADTU National Executive Committee (NEC's) rejection of the
Department of Education's proposal will not delay the dispensation's planned
implementation date of 1 January 2008.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Ministerial Spokesperson
Tel: 012 312 5538
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education
23 October 2007
