The agreement to permanently employ eligible temporary teachers in the Western Cape will ensure stability and security for schools across the province, says the ANC.
It was reacting to the announcement of the agreement at the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) between the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and teacher unions South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa).
The agreement document confirms that the WCED “agrees to convert all temporary educators who are all eligible for conversion in terms of Clause 4.2 of the ELRC collective Agreement 4 of 2018, to permanent educators”.
In a statement on Thursday, the ANC in the provincial legislature said this was a significant victory for educators.
“Schools are urged to immediately act on this agreement, ensuring that substantive vacant posts are filled by those currently on contract. However, the ANC remains deeply concerned about the broader issue of WCED’s plan to cut 2 407 teaching posts for the 2025 academic year. Despite ample funds in the provincial budget to avert such a crisis, the provincial government has chosen to move forward with these cuts, which could severely impact the quality of education across the region.
“This settlement is a victory, but it shouldn’t have taken this long to secure. The Western Cape government’s reckless plan to slash teaching posts is an attack on education itself.”
Meanwhile, ahead of World Teachers’ Day to be celebrated on Saturday, educators were thanked for their lasting and positive influence on the lives of pupils.
Executive director of Naptosa, Basil Manuel, said while educators should be feeling celebrated and appreciated, “there is a sense of gloom hanging”.
“What is happening with threatened cuts is also leading to a depressive view of the future of the profession.
So we hope that October 5 will inspire (teachers) to look beyond the immediate and see the good work that is done by themselves and others around them.”
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a teacher said they are “not celebrating this year”.
“It’s a very difficult Teachers’ Day this year. I wouldn’t want to be at another school right now where they are celebrating Teachers’ Day sitting there knowing they don’t have a job next year.
We are celebrating teachers but they aren’t feeling valued or appreciated. We are the ones on the ground and in the field,” the teacher said.
South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) representative, Kenneth Williams, said: “There is definitely a drop in morale because a lot of the new entrants/younger educators are looking for jobs outside of the country,” said Williams.
Education MEC David Maynier said teachers shape the lives of the youth and provide them with the tools to succeed.
“We are encouraging our learners to write a letter or card to their teacher, or drawing a picture for their special teacher to share with them, in the run up to World Teachers’ Day.
“These small gestures of thanks go such a long way.
“As we celebrate our wonderful teachers and this noble profession, we are also aware of the pressure that the national fiscal emergency has placed on our teachers and our schools.
“We will continue to work with other provinces through the Council of Education Ministers to outline the scale of the challenges facing provincial education departments, and to fight for our teachers,” said Maynier.
Cape Times