08 July 2024
SADTU NORTH WEST STATEMENT ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTE MEETING
The Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the North West held its second ordinary meeting at Royal Aloe Guest Lodge, Mafikeng on the 5-6 July 2024 to debate and resolve on many issues facing the Union.
The meeting took place at the beginning of July, Mandela month. This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) will be celebrated under the theme, “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality”.
Nelson Mandela said the following on the scourge of poverty, “Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” We fully agree with these inspiring words from our icon and believe that working together and doing more, we can fight poverty and inequality.
The PEC noted the National and Provincial Elections held in the month of May which saw the ANC receiving ANC 40,18% of the votes nationally and provincially, an outright majority of 58% which was however, a lower percentage compared to the 2019 outcomes. The PEC applauded the ANC in the province for its performance but emphasized the need for an in-depth post-election analysis with all alliance partners. This analysis should be the basis for preparations for the 2026 Local government elections.
The PEC commended SADTU members and the union for the work done for the elections to support the ANC as per the SADTU Congress resolution and the federation’s COSATU. The PEC debated and resolved, amongst others, on the following:
- State of the Union
The PEC noted the growth of membership in the province. The latest audited membership figures are 18 813 – an increase of 642 from 18 171 recorded in January 2024. The PEC vouched to increase the recruitment drive to reach its 20, 000 target by the end of the year.
The PEC noted that preparations for the PGC to be held at the Orion Hotel in Rustenburg on 19-20 July, were at an advanced stage. Convened under the 2019 National Congress theme “Claiming our right to have our human dignity and safety protected and respected in pursuit of a decolonized quality public education,” the PGC serve as the union’s mid-term review. It, amongst others, ratifies decisions of the PEC and adopt policy issues of major importance in between Provincial Conferences.
- On Labour matters:
Mandate seeking process for public service wage negotiations 2025/2026
The union believes that all members have a right to be heard and consulted extensively. The PEC noted that whilst members received the pamphlet on the negotiations, not enough time was created for proper mandate seeking prior to school closures marking the end of the second term. In line with the NEC decision, the PEC resolved to allow regions and general membership time to gather and consolidate immediately when schools reopen through convening site meetings, branch site steward council meetings, branch mass meetings and special regional executive committee meetings leading to meeting of the provincial executive committee.
Appointment of Grade R educators
The PEC noted with concern and disappointment that the department in the province was dragging its feet to conclude the matter that has been on the table for discussion since the January 2024 even though a principled agreement has been reached to reinstate all the terminated Grade R educators.
The PEC resolved that the union should demand an urgent meeting with the senior management of the department and demand a comprehensive report on how the department was handling the matter considering the preliminary report of the ELRC Task Team on the same matter.
Cost Containment measures
The PEC noted the report on cost -containment measures and its implications. The PEC resolved that the employer should do all to ensure that whatever cost containment measures are in place, these should not be at the expense of quality teaching and learning. Schools, as centers of service delivery of quality education, should not be negatively impacted.
Meeting with senior management of the department
The PEC resolved that an urgent meeting with the senior management of the department be convened to discuss the following issues.
- Appointment of temporary educators in line with the newly signed collective agreement 2/2024
- Filling of funded promotional posts (School based & office based)
- Declining participation of learners in school enrichment activities including the coordination of activities.
- Analysis of the impact of Funza Lushuka in addressing the shortage of educators in certain subject e.g. Mathematics
- On Education matters:
Teacher Union Collaboration:
The PEC noted that 2024 marks the third and final year for the TUC programme on the theme, Skills for the Changing World.
The meeting resolved that the provincial training for Master Teachers on the use of coding in baseline assessment for Foundation Phase teachers and the use of coding principles to teach Mathematic in INTERSEN should be held 29-30 July 2024 to prepare for training of almost 1600 educators across the province.
In conclusion:
The PEC emphasized the need to prioritise the servicing of members in all the areas that we organize in. Union members across all levels should remain vigilant and united, and guard against attempts to mislead them in the period when trade unions are experiencing many challenges.
ISSUED BY: SADTU NW Secretariat