SADTU POST NEC MEDIA STATEMENT
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) held its first ordinary meeting of the year on the 14th and 15th of March 2025. The NEC, responsible for managing the Union’s affairs and executing policies and programmes decided by the National Congresses, deliberated on several critical issues.
Reopening of Schools
The reopening of schools for the 2025 academic year was marred by overcrowding, infrastructure challenges due to vandalism, post provisioning norms issues, inadequate water and electricity supply, late delivery of Learning Teaching and Support materials, and learner transport challenges. The NEC discussed these pressing issues extensively.
Budget Speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana
The NEC noted key points from the budget speech regarding basic and post-school education. In basic education, 76% of provincial education budgets are allocated to salaries, 24% for essential needs like school infrastructure, meals for learners from poor backgrounds, and educational materials. The neoliberal agenda continues to ignore the importance education as an investment hence this limited budget which constrains improvements in school infrastructure and resources for learners. Although the budget aimed to address teacher retention and early childhood development, the overall funding remains insufficient.
In post-school education, the budget included allocations for higher education institutions and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), emphasizing skills development programs to address unemployment and equip young people for the job market. The NEC lamented the numerous budget cuts over the past decade, which have negatively impacted the education sector, leading to higher learner-teacher ratios and deteriorating quality of education.
National Strike
The NEC resolved to embark on a national strike on 23 April, targeting Treasury, Basic Education, and Higher Education to demand increased education funding in line with Education International’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign.
Organisational Matters
The NEC expressed grave concern over the rising incidents of selling teacher posts and sexual relationships between learners and teachers. SADTU has never adopted any policy supporting these practices and consistently rejects them. The NEC reiterated its stance against these unprofessional and criminal activities, which tarnish the integrity of the teaching profession and damage the Union’s reputation. The NEC adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical practices, including immediate disciplinary action for members found engaging in such activities.
Education Matters
SADTU rejected the purported guidelines for implementing the BELA Act, demanding a tangible legal framework in the form of regulations. The Union wrote to the Minister seeking clarification on the legal basis for issuing the guidelines. Following this interaction, SADTU nominated Vice President for Education, Cde Faseega Solomon, to serve on the Task Team for the Appointment of SGBs, Learner Admission, and the Role of Districts.
Review of the National African Languages Reading Programme
SADTU continues to participate in the review of the National African Languages Reading Programme (NALRP). The Learning Programmes, alongside national and international research, aim to address persistent challenges in early-grade literacy. Key objectives include providing teaching and learning resources, training in methodology and pedagogy, and implementation support to ensure effective teaching practices. The finalised materials will enhance the quality of teaching and learning in African languages across South African schools.
Labour Matters
After consulting members, the NEC resolved to sign Collective Agreement 1 of 2025, which includes salary adjustments and improved conditions of service in the public sector. The agreement features a pensionable salary increase of 5.5% for 2025/26, projected CPI increases for 2026/27/28, and an increase in the housing allowance.
Collaboration with SACE
The union will continue to engage with SACE, focusing on presenting academic practitioner-based research to inform policy and guide the teaching profession for professionals, student teachers, and ECD practitioners. SADTU Student Chapter leads this project as their initiative to address serious weaknesses in the teaching practice.
Political Matters
The NEC condemned the international lobbying by AfriForum and Solidariteit, spreading false narratives of “white genocide” and alleged persecution of Afrikaners in South Africa. U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to grant refugee status to Afrikaners based on these false claims has sparked outrage and strained U.S.-South Africa relations. SADTU has always maintained that these racist organizations were against deracialisation, integration and democratization and were looking for a whites’ homeland in our country. The NEC condemned these actions as treasonous, undermining South Africa’s sovereignty and democratic processes. NEC calls for their prosecution for their criminal actions against the sovereignty of our country.
Special Congress on political support for elections
Following the SACP’s special congress in December 2024, where it resolved to contest the 2026 local government elections, the NEC resolved to convene a Special Congress in the latter part of 2025 or in 2026 before COSATU congress, in line with the Union’s National Congress Resolution which stated that the Union shall convene a special congress to allow members to decide on which political party within the Alliance to support during the general elections. The current policy position of the Union is to support the ANC.
International Factors
The NEC expressed deep concern over geopolitical developments threatening democracy and human rights in conflict zones such as Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, and Myanmar. These crises have devastated education systems, displaced millions, and left 78 million children out of school worldwide. The NEC called for peace and quality public education, emphasizing the role of teachers in fostering critical thinking and compassion.
Southern African Teachers Organisations (SATO) Games
In line with the Union’s international solidarity programmes, SADTU will host athletes from 10 teacher unions from SADC countries in Durban this year to promote sports, arts, and culture as integral parts of education.
End.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat