28 August 2001
The Department of Education (DoE) has noted with regret the intention of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) to participate in the national protest action against privatisation on August 29 and 30.
According to the DoE there is no doubt that the teachers' union industrial action will impact negatively on the quality of education, and will lead to the denial of the right to education of a large number of learners.
Although the department recognises and supports the right to strike, this right must be set against the rights of learners to an education. The right to strike must therefore be exercised with great caution.
Section 28 (2) of the South African Constitution explicitly states: "A child's best interests are of importance in every matter concerning the child." Therefore, the DoE appeals to SADTU to uphold this provision of the Constitution.
The DoE is not in any dispute with the educators. There is consequently no justification for the intended protest action. Allegations by SADTU of privatisation in the Higher Education sector and in schools are simply unfounded, in that fees have always been paid at both schools and higher education institutions. Free school education is available to those who are poor.
Further, significant provision is made for fee exemptions at school level. There is no reason why those who can afford to pay for education should not do so.
In fact, in the Higher Education sector, over R600 million is made available each year for student loans. These student loans are poverty targeted. Higher Education institutions are still heavily subsidised by the State. There is no intention of making access to education exclusively reliant on fees, as it is alleged in the notice of dispute by SADTU.
Education in particular is not facing job losses, which may be the concern of some public service unions in other sectors. Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) have already begun to advertise new posts in almost all provinces and are actively recruiting qualified educators into education.
In this way the DoE is extending and improving service delivery to communities. The planned labour action will be a major setback to the image of the profession and the DoE's ability to attract new recruits.
Educators are therefore advised to think deeply before joining this action. They must unfortunately take all the possible consequences into account.
In accordance with Government policy, the PEDs will be implementing a strict policy of "no-work, no-pay." The Regulations on the Role of Managers Prior to Strike Action will also be invoked.
Issued by the Department of Education