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Home arrow Feature & Comments arrow Department and Unions find one another
Department and Unions find one another PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nhlanhla Mabaso   
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Image NELSPRUIT - Mpumalanga’s Department of education and two educator unions, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) and Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysers Unie (SAOU) have finally agreed on a joint recovery plan for schools. On August 1 a joint media statement was issued, outlining how the plan was to operate. Whereas, both the department and the labour organizations were in agreement that additional teaching and learning time would be needed in preparing learners for their final examinations, they differed fundamentally on how this had to be achieved. Unions had refused to volunteer their labour, demanding that their members be paid for services rendered outside of normal schooling hours.

What Kwazulu-Natal achieved in just a few hours became an Achilles-tendon for Mpumalanga as the department had initially refused to compensate educators, instead, urging them to be patriotic.

anity has since prevailed and now learners can look forward to preparing themselves for year-end assessment. All parties have identified the six consecutive Saturdays, starting this weekend until September 22 plus four days starting on the 25th to the 28th as ideal for the recovery plan.

The joint media statement further pronounces a moratorium on co-curricular and extra-curricular activities for the remainder of the year.

This is a blow to matriculants and, to a certain extent, grade 7 learners who have become accustomed to matric dances and farewell dos at this stage of their learning years. The recovery plan takes on board all grades but is also said to be voluntary. Circuit offices have seen a rush on August 10 as school managers submitted applications on behalf of educators who wished to be appointed for the 10-day programme. Some commentators have warned educators not to expect much in rands as cents as their wages would pale in comparison to deductions which will be effected on their salaries in accordance with the no work-no pay principle.

“If they get in to the programme with the aim of recouping money deducted for the no work-no pay, they will be disappointed. The taxman is waiting to get his share and that will leave them with nothing,” said an official of the department who pleaded for anonymity.
 
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