Schooling to get back to normal

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government and teacher union South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) have today signed a memorandum of agreement which covers a number of aspects that seek to normalise teaching and learning in the Eastern Cape Province. 

This was revealed at a joint media briefing between the Eastern Cape Education MEC Mandla Makhupula, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi and Sadtu leadership in East London. 

The agreement follows a meeting last night between the Premier Noxolo Kiviet, members of her Executive Council and Cosatu leadership lead by Zwelinzima Vavi. One of the key areas agreed on in the memorandum of agreement is the reinstatement of temporary teachers by the provincial Education Department. The MEC for Education will release a circular by 10 February 2012 to effect the reinstament of temporary educators. 

Sadtu has agreed to end their go slow and pickets that they have embarked on in the past few weeks. Sadtu Provincial Secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni said the PEC will today meet with branch secretaries to communicate the decision. 

Asked about Sadtu's call for the removal of Education Superintendent-General, Vavi said the matter was still being discussed behind closed doors. "The discussion on that are ongoing, hence we don't have it in this Memorandum of Agreement. Once we reach a conclusion on that, we will call you and pronounce on it."

Vavi said all parties agree that they need to normalise their relations in order to guarantee realisation of "these political commitments". 

Statement issued by Mahlubandile Qwase, Eastern Cape Provincial Government , February 8 2012

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