SADTU POST-NEC MEDIA STATEMENT
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) held its last meeting for the year from 30 November to 01 December 2024. This ordinary meeting was the first since the Union’s successful 10th National Congress, held from 25 to 28 September 2024, during which all national office bearers were re-elected unopposed.
The NEC noted with sadness the passing of SADTU founding president, Comrade Membathisi Shepherd Mdladlana, and the first Minister of Labour, Tito Mboweni, in October 2024.
The NEC expressed concern over the threat to teacher posts as the newly appointed Minister of Basic Education and National Treasury are tightening the budget for teacher posts and considering workforce reductions. The NEC reiterated that education is pivotal to lifting South Africa out of its economic crisis by producing job-ready graduates and reducing government debt. Only through free, quality public education can South Africa save itself.
The NEC expressed deep concern over food poisoning cases in schools, which have resulted in the deaths of 23 children and the hospitalization of hundreds since October 2024. The Union commended teachers for their swift interventions and called for the urgent provision of permanent psychosocial services in schools.
The NEC discussed and resolved issues related to education, organizational matters, socio-political dynamics, and labour challenges.
Education Matters
- The Bela Act
The NEC condemned the bilateral agreement signed between the Minister of Basic Education and Solidariteit/AfriForum at NEDLAC, viewing it as a demonstration of minority power in the Government of National Unity (GNU). The Union criticised President Ramaphosa for excluding critical sections on admission and language policies when signing the Bela Act, thus undermining educational transformation.
The NEC commended Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane for opposing the Minister’s actions and called on other MECs to follow suit and not only condemn the Minister’s action but put in place plans to implement the Bela Ac in its entirety because the suspension of clauses 4 and 5 was unlawful. The MECs who have decided to be silent at the face of an onslaught on the transformation agenda by the Minister must tell students, teachers, and parents what their plans are. The NEC took a decision that the Union will embark on a rolling mass action to demand the removal of the DA-affiliated Minister for Basic Education and the full implementation of the Bela Act.
On International Human Rights Day -10th of December, SADTU in collaboration with the African Renaissance Forum and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, will hold a symposium on the GNU and Human Rights Culture at the Crossroads. The time is ripe to right all the wrongs we did in 1993 when we agreed to sunset clauses that have frustrated the transformation agenda. This is the moment to liberate our country from racism and white supremacy.
- National Senior Certificate Examinations
The NEC noted the completion of the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations, involving 727,121 full-time candidates and 155,215 part-time candidates. The NEC raised concern over the decline in the number of candidates who wrote mathematics and physical sciences.
There were some irregularities such as candidates being found in possession of cellphones, crib notes, unregistered candidates. 319 candidates in the Eastern Cape could not write the examination due to inclement weather. In the Northern Cape, Jan Kempdorp area, SADTU had to intervene to get learners to schools to write during a protest action by taxi drivers. Some schools in KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape were affected by the storms, but the writing continued.
The NEC stressed the urgent need to comply with the Protection of Personal Information (POPIA) Act regarding the announcement of matric results. Specifically, the results should not be published in newspapers without first seeking the consent of a learner or parent/guardian in the case of a minor.
- Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE)
The NEC welcomed the Department of Basic Education’s plan to roll out MTBBE in the Eastern Cape and North West provinces. This move aligns with the Union’s 10th National Congress priorities. The meeting resolved that the Union should assess the system’s readiness for 2025, focusing on teacher preparedness and the availability of Learning and Teaching support materials.
Organizational Matters
- State of the Union
With 278,000 members, SADTU emerged stronger from the 10th National Congress held in September. The meeting noted the challenges that must be confronted in order to serve members and their communities. One of the challenges is the GNU where the left-axis has been ignored and only the right-wing agenda is being served. The NEC resolved to intensify the fight for working-class liberation and the eradication of racism and white supremacy.
Labour Matters
- 2025/26 Wage Negotiations
The NEC expressed frustration over the slow progress in wage negotiations at the PSCBC and resolved to escalate efforts to ensure progress. Negotiations began in August, followed by an unsuccessful facilitation process in October resulting in stalled discussions.
- Non-Payment of Pay Progression
SADTU demanded that all provinces expedite the payment of pay progression without delay or face Union action.
- Conversion of temporary posts to permanent employment
The NEC commended SADTU in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces for forcing the employers through declaring disputes and mass action respectively to comply with the collective agreement on the conversion of temporary teachers to permanent employment and committing payment for norms and standards and other payments due to the schools and teachers.
SADTU remains committed to opposing any attempts to retrench educators. We want to see each class having a teacher in front of them when schools open in 2025.
- Grade R Practitioners
The NEC condemned inconsistencies in the recognition of Grade R practitioners’ qualifications and employment terms. The NEC questioned the circular from the Director General to Heads of Departments recognising a bachelor’s degree as a minimum qualification for Grade R educators whereas the Government Gazette 38486 of 2015 recognises a diploma as a minimum qualification for Grade R teaching. The meeting resolved to raise this matter with the employer as a matter of urgency and to have all Grade R practitioners who were fired in the North West province, re-employed with immediate effect.
International Matters
The NEC expressed contempt at the indifference and inhumanity of a world that is unable to stop the genocide in Gaza, destruction of Lebanon, and Sudan. Schools in Lebanon have become shelters for desperate families who have nowhere to go amid constant bombings.
Fifteen people die in Gaza every hour, six of whom are children and 90% of education facilities have been destroyed. In Sudan, more than 90% of the country’s nineteen million children of school going age have no access to formal education and are exposed to military recruitment and gender-based violence. Worldwide, more that 222 million children of school going age are affected by wars and displacements with 78 million out of school.
The NEC called for global action to address this humanitarian crisis.
Conclusion
As the nation observes the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the NEC , in line with the Union’s “I am a School Fan” campaign, called on communities to protect children, particularly the Girl Child, during the summer vacation. The Union is advocating for daily activism beyond the 16-day period.
The NEC extended gratitude to teachers, education support personnel, students, and members for their tireless dedication in 2024 and conveyed best wishes for the upcoming year.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat