MORE than 53000 South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) members in the Eastern Cape are to go on strike today to protest at the pace of the national government’s intervention in the province’s education department.
This is a setback for the Department of Basic Education, which took the lead in the province after the Cabinet placed the Eastern Cape education department under administration in March. The strike also comes as matric pupils prepare to write the physical science paper today.
But Sadtu Eastern Cape provincial secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni said the strike would aim not to disrupt the exams, and invigilators who belonged to the union would complete their tasks before joining the strike.
Earlier this year, it emerged that the provincial education department had overspent by R1,8bn, leading to the termination of contracts for 6000 temporary teachers and the suspension of the school feeding scheme and pupil transportation scheme.
While the Department of Basic Education claimed success in restoring basic services, Minister Angie Motshekga in August said resistance by local officials had "paralysed" the intervention .
President Jacob Zuma then stepped in, appointing a team of political heavyweights to back Ms Motshekga and "bring the education crisis to an end". The team includes Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe , Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande and the public service and administration minister at the time, Richard Baloyi .
Mr Zuma said in a statement at the time that he was "upbeat" as the "biggest stumbling block" had been removed — "that of delineating roles, responsibility and accountability".
However, Mr Ndongeni said yesterday the strike would go ahead as the department had failed to address problems in the province which were seriously affecting teaching and learning.
Local officials were being allowed to frustrate the implementation of the national intervention, he said.
Sadtu demanded the immediate suspension of Eastern Cape education superintendent-general Modidima Mannya, pending a probe into his conduct. The union also demanded the department fill 6249 vacant temporary teaching posts immediately.
Spokesman for the Department of Basic Education Panyaza Lesufi said the department had no control over Mr Mannya, and that the matter would have to be resolved by Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet. The department had done its best to persuade Sadtu that it would address the issue of temporary teachers by next year to avoid the strike, but had failed, he said.
Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said there were no plans at present for a national sympathy strike. With Sapa
News By:
businessday.co.za
This is a setback for the Department of Basic Education, which took the lead in the province after the Cabinet placed the Eastern Cape education department under administration in March. The strike also comes as matric pupils prepare to write the physical science paper today.
But Sadtu Eastern Cape provincial secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni said the strike would aim not to disrupt the exams, and invigilators who belonged to the union would complete their tasks before joining the strike.
Earlier this year, it emerged that the provincial education department had overspent by R1,8bn, leading to the termination of contracts for 6000 temporary teachers and the suspension of the school feeding scheme and pupil transportation scheme.
While the Department of Basic Education claimed success in restoring basic services, Minister Angie Motshekga in August said resistance by local officials had "paralysed" the intervention .
President Jacob Zuma then stepped in, appointing a team of political heavyweights to back Ms Motshekga and "bring the education crisis to an end". The team includes Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe , Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande and the public service and administration minister at the time, Richard Baloyi .
Mr Zuma said in a statement at the time that he was "upbeat" as the "biggest stumbling block" had been removed — "that of delineating roles, responsibility and accountability".
However, Mr Ndongeni said yesterday the strike would go ahead as the department had failed to address problems in the province which were seriously affecting teaching and learning.
Local officials were being allowed to frustrate the implementation of the national intervention, he said.
Sadtu demanded the immediate suspension of Eastern Cape education superintendent-general Modidima Mannya, pending a probe into his conduct. The union also demanded the department fill 6249 vacant temporary teaching posts immediately.
Spokesman for the Department of Basic Education Panyaza Lesufi said the department had no control over Mr Mannya, and that the matter would have to be resolved by Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet. The department had done its best to persuade Sadtu that it would address the issue of temporary teachers by next year to avoid the strike, but had failed, he said.
Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said there were no plans at present for a national sympathy strike. With Sapa
News By:
businessday.co.za
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