The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the Northern Cape, is very disturbed and concerned about the status quo in the province and the posture adopted by the Department of Education. The NCDOE has reneged on its commitments made during the meeting on 18 December 2024 where it assured that schools would resume smoothly in January 2025.
The 2025 Academic year started with various challenges, including schools not receiving their Section 21 and National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) allocations, with some schools receiving 27% of the expected allocation.
According to the NCDOE, this allocation was intended to enable schools to purchase LTSM, pay services, and run the schools, which is totally impossible.
This situation is tantamount to a violation of the rights of children as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The children of the working class and the poor who cannot afford to purchase stationery, have had to start the 2025 academic year without the necessary materials and food as NSNP allocations have not been paid.
We want to refute claims made by the Deputy Minister of Education on national television that all deliveries of LTSM in all provinces stood at 100%. This is far from the actual reality, as the Northern Cape Department of Education delivered mostly workbooks and not stationery. A total of 193 schools are affected by non-payment of Section 21 which has decentralised LTSM and those having stationery is per arrangement with service providers.
We are appalled by reports that, due to lack of funds, some schools are unable to provide meals for learners and hostels will be forced to send learners back home as from next week.
Furthermore, the Department has partially paid pay progression to qualifying education workers, leaving more than 800 members unpaid for what is due to them. The function for appointment of teachers is currently closed, so temporary teachers have not yet been appointed. This situation arises from functions being closed and opened at the discretion of the Treasury.
At this point, as the union in the Northern Cape, we are running out of patience with the authorities entrusted with education in the province. Having expressed our concerns, we will take steps to ensure order is restored and that quality public education is protected.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Northern Cape Secretariat
Provincial Secretary, cde Palesa Nqumashe: 073 753 4187
Deputy Provincial Secretary, cde Pule Mogopodi: 083 2050 159