Minister Motshekga is amazed at the SADTU's continued action

18 Apr 2013

The Department of Basic Education is amazed at the continued posturing by the leaders of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU).

The union continues to make unfortunate public statements that are contrary to the spirit of the mediation process that is currently underway. The process is aimed at resolving the impasse between the Department of Basic Education and SADTU which has led to the unions embarking on a work-to-rule action.

The department is also disappointed that although the union committed to not disrupting learning and teaching, reports have indicated that in some areas schooling was disrupted. The department calls upon SADTU to display commitment to the mediation process.

"I urge SADTU to respect the process that's underway which is clearly designed to find an amicable solution to the impasse we are facing. It does not benefit anybody to trade blows in the public when we could focus on the talks so we can return the situation to normalcy," said Panyaza Lesufi, Spokesman for the Department of Basic Education.

The department is committed to finding a speedy resolution through discussions and the Minister will do all that she can to achieve this.

The department has also noted a statement by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) about the shortage of suitably qualified Mathematics teachers.

"The supply of quality Mathematics teachers remains a real challenge, especially in our rural schools. We have in place the Maths, Science and Technology (MST) strategy which is linked to the Funza Lushaka bursaries on offer to teachers taking up Mathematics. By the end of 2012, we had awarded approximately 11 500 Funza Lushaka bursaries to student teachers. Our aim is to increase the number of qualified Mathematics teachers to 14 400 by 2013/14," said Lesufi.

Statement issued by the Department of Basic Education, April 18 2013

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