The writing of the June exams in KwaZulu-Natal has been disrupted across the province after the two major teachers’ unions intensified their fight to demand that the provincial Department of Education pay out outstanding monies for norms and standards.
The money is used by the schools to buy learning materials and pay for other services needed for the upkeep of the schools.
Unions leading shutdown
However, since the department is facing a cash crunch and a debt of R1.6-billion, it has not been able to pay out the money since last year. This sparked the backlash of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) and the National Teachers’ Union (Natu).
Since last week, the unions have been staging protests outside the district offices of the department across the provinces. The most intense protest has so far been staged in Vryheid in Zululand. This is where the police had to be called to restore order.
Following the protest, Sadtu told its members that the June exams have been suspended until further notice. This caused a disruption of exams in several schools.
“Total shutdown of HR (human resources and finance),” reads one of the resolutions of Sadtu regarding the strike.
Teachers burdened
In a statement regarding the debacle, Natu said due to the provincial education departments’ non-compliance with the post provisioning norms, teachers have increasingly been burdened with administrative tasks, overcrowded classrooms, and inadequate support. This has led to burnout, mental health challenges and a poor state of teacher wellness, generally.
“Despite extensive engagements with provincial departments of education and the Department of Basic Education, Natu has exhausted all diplomatic avenues to address these critical issues. Consequently, we are compelled to initiate picket actions to demand urgent change. We call on all school principals to refrain from using personal funds to sustain school operations. It is the responsibility of the department to provide all necessary resources for the June exams,” reads the statement.
EFF throws it weight behind action
“Natu members will not subsidise departmental shortcomings. Furthermore, we urge all members to boycott any unfunded departmental workshops or events. We are reinforcing our collective stand for a fully supported education system,” the union said.
The EFF in the provincial legislature has since stepped in. It wrote to MEC Sipho Hlomuka and Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli to demand answers on the matter. The party said the non-payment of the monies has paralysed the entire education system in the province.
The department did not comment when asked about the matter.
