COSATU Press Group 2024ReplyReply allForward
To:COSATU Press Group 2024 <cosatu-press-group-2021@googlegroups.com>
Thu 2024/11/07 13:06
COSATU KwaZulu Natal Supports SADTU in its Current Campaign for Allocation of Funds to Schools, Adjustment of Grade R Stipends and Pay Progression for All Qualifying Teachers
07 November 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in KwaZulu Natal is repulsed by the lack of care, arrogance, and irresponsibility exhibited by the government of national unity (GNU) against our educators and the education of our children.
COSATU KZN has previously raised concerns about the contradictions between our commitments and the ill-informed decisions of our government, in particular, the implementation of austerity measures. On one end there is a commitment to building the capacity of the state to deliver services to the poor and the working class, on the other hand the GNU is advancing neoliberal austerity measures.
Whilst basic education is identified in the national and provincial Human Resource Development Strategy as a cornerstone for the development of our children emphasis has been made on the need to develop our youngsters in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation. This is in line with ensuring quality education for economic growth, social development and social inclusion.
All these objectives are expected to be delivered by the very same teachers whose conditions of services are being neglected. Our government must invest in the education of our children and address inequality in our education, in order to realise these undertakings.
It is unfortunate that as schools are writing exams, and teachers are expected to rest and be mentally prepared, leaders of the educators under our dedicated affiliate, the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), have been camping at the department’s offices for two nights, trying to push government officials in KZN to honour the payment of funds for school norms and standards, adjustment of Grade R stipends and payment of progression to all qualifying teachers. The non-allocation of resources impacts negatively on the functioning of schools and affects learners, especially those in public schools who are among the most vulnerable, and will ultimately lead to poor performance of both the teachers and learners.
The demands of our affiliate SADTU are fair and just, and ought to be supported by the public. It is truly unfortunate that SADTU leaders have had to spend day and night since Monday at the offices of the department in a bid to drive the officials to honour their commitment and respect policy.
COSATU is disturbed that public representatives who are responsible for political administration are not displaying the same kind of zeal to expedite this matter.
The Federation will never rest until this matter is resolved and the department has honoured its commitment. We call on all our affiliates to support this crucial struggle which is effectively about the future of our children. The Federation also calls on the public to secure their children’s future by supporting teachers as they advance the struggle for the betterment of our education.
COSATU demands that all respective government officials to work around the clock to resolve this stalemate, so that our children can write their exams in a conducive environment.
Issued by COSATU KZN
Provincial Secretary
Edwin Mkhize
082 399 7756