SADTU'S RESPONSE TO THE NYDA'S CALL FOR TEACHERS TO BE DE-UNIONISED

23 January 2012

The National Youth Development Agency's call for teaching to be declared an essential service and be de-unionised smacks of naivety, immaturity and is reactionary.

Such a call shows little understanding of the deep inequalities in education which come from the history of apartheid. 

As SADTU, South Africa's biggest teacher union, we reject such a call. First, the declaration of teaching as an essential service won't address the challenges facing education but will instead, cover them up.

We don't see this as assisting in improving the quality of education but eroding victories by the working class. We are not being sentimental or hampering on rhetoric but are stating the facts. The organizational rights as contained in the Labour Relations Act and the South African Constitution were indeed fought hard for and we are going to defend them.

As SADTU we have always warned about leveling blame against other stakeholders but take collective responsibility to turn the situation around in the interest of our future.

We have to deal with the systematic problems our country is facing. We have to continuously develop our teachers throughout their careers. Quality teachers for quality education are a non-negotiable.

We have to invest in early childhood education in order to build a firm foundation for further education and training.

As SADTU we are a signatory to the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign which states that, teachers shall be on time, on task, prepared and conducting themselves professionally. The code also compels the department of education to provide all the necessary resources for highly qualified and supported teachers and infrastructure that is essential to effective teaching and learning.

We believe that the call for education to be declared an essential service is based on lack of appreciation for the complexities of education and it is just seeking attention and as SADTU we are not interested in simplistic solutions.

Statement issued by SADTU General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke, January 23 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter