STATEMENT BY KHUME RAMULIFHO , GAUTENG DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE SPOKESPERSON ON EDUCATION

300 SADTU members ignore Gauteng Premier's call to be in class!

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today written questions to Gauteng MEC for Education Barbara Creecy to explain what actions will be taken against teachers who abandoned pupils to attend a court case in Soweto yesterday. It is reported that matric learners failed to write their English paper.  About 300 teachers were reported to have attended the court case in support of five teachers facing assault cases committed last year,  when SADTU neglected classes in Soweto.

The MEC has said her department will act against any disruptions of learning time. The DA is dismayed by non actions against educators who neglect their classes. Parents are removing their learners from Soweto schools, proven by the closing down of 27 schools in Soweto.

SADTU further threatened to disrupt classes for future court appearances, which goes against the Premier's call to ensure that teachers and learners are in class. In addition to this, just two weeks ago teachers abandoned classes in Alexander and no action was taken against those teachers in various high schools. Gauteng DA Education spokesperson, Khume Ramulifo said "As long as the ANC's ALL TALK NO ACTION continues, quality education will remain a dream especially for learners whose parents couldn't afford to pay for their education."

Statement issued by Khume Ramulifho, MPL, DA Gauteng Education Spokesperson, May 18 2010

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