SADTU STATEMENT ON THE BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BUDGET VOTE 2024/25
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has noted the Basic Education Minister’s maiden Basic Education Budget vote for 2024/25.
The priorities in this Budget Vote do not deviate much from the 2023 budget vote except for 7,4% increase in budget allocation. This indicates continuity from the 6th administration.
But, as we note the education budget vote 2024/25, we are disturbed by the Minister’s assertion that she intends to establish an advisory council representative of the basic education system as soon as possible. We are uncomfortable because forming competing structures may cause unnecessary tensions with those provided for in law. The council of education ministers (CEM) which is comprised of MEC’s for Education from the nine provinces is provided in law to advise the minister and this structure has a responsibility to play its role.
Caution is necessary to ensure this advisory council does not become bureaucratic or hinder timely decision making. We will guard jealously any intention to introduce privatisation of policy development through this council.
The Minister must be cautious of making statements on policy reviews without consulting stakeholders. We are sick and tired of each minister coming with reviews, revisions and streamlining terminologies as these affect the morale of teachers.
Teachers are human beings and cannot be treated like programmed robots without emotions. The changes during a demanding term of teaching and learning are too disruptive and unnecessary. Long term planning is the key to success.
We acknowledge that the minister will be meeting with the unions who are represented in the Education Labour Relations Council as provided for in law. These meetings and many others must work to ensure stability in education and the minister should take her time to appreciate this so that any engagement is not preceded with pronouncement that might suggest that meeting the unions is just a formality. This is required by the provisions of National Education Policy Act.
On the safety of schools, we need practical steps to end the scourge of unsafe and violence. We are working across the clock to get communities to collaborate with us in our “I am a School Fan” which seeks to protect and make education a societal matter in the true sense of the word.
ISSUED BY: SADTU SECRETARIAT