Question No. 415
Dr JC Kloppers-Lourens (Democratic Alliance) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether the time spent by teachers on the preparation of lessons is included in the seven hours a day that teachers and learners must be in school; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,
(2) Whether she has taken any steps to obtain the cooperation of the trade unions representing the teachers; if not, why not; if so, what steps?
Reply:
1. The nature of the work done by teachers is such that the volume differs from day today, with obvious severe peaks during times when scripts are being marked, or almost the whole year for a first year teacher since all preparation is new. From the second year the preparation time reduces dramatically for teachers offering the same subjects to the same grade of learners, obviously not so for those with different schedules.
Teachers are required to be at schools for seven hours per day, which amounts to 35 hours per week. Not all of these hours are utilised for contact teaching time and the additional time is meant for preparation and marking purposes. It is obvious that there will be times when the seven hours requirement will not be enough and the teacher is then free to either continue working at the school, or to work at home.
The rationale was that, like the rest of the public servants, teachers must be able to account for a 40 hours’ work week. The additional 80 hours per year is meant to be utilised for work related training and or preparation and or marking of scripts and books.
2. The acting director-general together with the ministry are in constant contact with all unions in education. Through the Quality Learning and Teaching campaign (QLTC) all stakeholders committed to the upliftment of education and prioritize the teaching and learning process. A dedicated team from both labour and the employer is currently working on campaigns where schools are visited to ensure that the pledges made by stakeholders are being implemented.
Issued by: Department of Basic Education
26 February 2010
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za/)
