sector strike action
2 July 2007
Today, a meeting was held between the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education
and educator unions in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The meeting was convened
to develop a plan for schools in the province to recover time lost during the
recent public sector strike action. All parties expressed their commitment to
provide quality education to all our people. The educator union leadership
considered mandates given to them by their membership in agreeing to a common
recovery plan. The parties were also guided by Section 28 of the South African
Constitution, which calls on us to do everything in the best interest of the
child, in agreeing on the following provincial recovery plan:
1. A mass winter school for all grades is to be held in our schools from 9
to 13 July 2007. The winter school is voluntary. However, we urge parents,
teachers and learners to work together to make this a success. Educators and
other employees will be remunerated appropriately for their efforts during this
period.
2. A mass spring school is to be held from 25 to 28 September 2007, under
similar conditions as the mass winter school.
3. Saturdays from 14 July to 29 September 2007 will also be used for purposes
of teaching and learning, as part of the recovery plan, and similar conditions
as those of the mass winter school will also apply.
4. Every school is expected to develop its own school-specific recovery plan
based on the provincial recovery framework. Such plans should contain clear
activities and dates, and should be submitted to ward managers.
5. Mid-year tests and examinations will resume after the mass winter school
between 16 and 31 July 2007.
6. All learners will be given an opportunity to write mid-year tests and
examinations. We appeal to independent schools to also adhere to this principle
in respect of learners enrolled in those schools.
7. Extra and co-curricular activities organised solely by the Department of
Education will be suspended for the remainder of the year.
8. Office-based educators and other employees will be engaged in specific
programmes to support the recovery plan. In this regard, circuit, district and
head offices of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education will be open on
Saturdays from 14 July to 29 September 2007.
9. The KZN Department of Education and educator unions appreciate and encourage
voluntary programmes put in place by individual schools as part of their
patriotic calling to provide quality education to learners.
10. A joint task team has been formed between the Department of Education and
educator unions to finalise details and monitor the implementation of the
recovery plan.
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
2 July 2007
