Respect teachers; protect teachers; invest in teachers; empower teachers.
On World Teachers’ Day (05 October), the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) is paying tribute to teachers, lecturers in institutions of higher learning, education support personnel, early childhood development practitioners, and her members in particular.
This year’s theme: “Standing for teachers, 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our future,” marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)/ UNESCO Recommendation concerning the status of teachers and the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel that was adopted in 1997.
The Recommendation set forth, among others, the right and responsibilities of teachers, standards for initial teacher preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, teaching, and learning conditions. The Recommendation further contain recommendations for further teachers’ participation in educational decisions through consultation and negotiation with educational authorities.
The theme is a powerful reminder that the future of every society is inseparable from the dignity, rights, and working conditions of its teachers.
Teachers do far more than impart knowledge. They nurture young minds, build confidence, develop responsible citizens, and provide hope and opportunity to learners. Every profession and every sector of society, is in one way or another, built on the work of teachers.
Yet, despite this indispensable contribution, teachers continue to face serious challenges that undermine their dignity and their ability to perform their work effectively.
SADTU recognises that the majority of teachers are women. However, men dominate leadership positions. This reality makes it imperative that we confront the patriarchal norms and practices that continue to exist within the teaching profession. Women dominate the early childhood education, a critical phase that lays the groundwork for a child’s academic, emotional, and physical well-being throughout life, and yet many are still battling to receive recognition as teachers.
Thanks to the push by SADTU that the Department of Basic Education is now formalising the sector.
Women teachers must be respected, protected, and afforded equal opportunities to lead and advance in the profession. Their contribution must not be taken for granted, nor should gender stereotypes, unequal power relations, discrimination, or barriers to leadership be allowed to persist.
We call for an education system that actively promotes gender equality, protects women from harassment and discrimination, and ensures that women teachers are able to participate fully and equally in decision-making and leadership at every level.
As we celebrate this World Teachers’ Day, we are deeply concerned about the rising incidents of violence against teachers and the growing threats to their safety and security. No teacher should have to enter a classroom fearing for their lives. Schools must be places of teaching, learning, safety, and dignity and not spaces where educators are exposed to violence, intimidation, or abuse.
We call on government, school communities, parents, learners, and society at large to work together to restore, respect and ensure safety in schools. Stronger measures are required to protect teachers and to address the underlying social conditions that contribute to violence in our schools.
Teachers are also bearing the brunt of austerity measures and resource constraints. Cuts to the education budget negatively impact the teacher’s ability to provide quality teaching to learners.
Overcrowded classrooms, inadequate resources, and insufficient support place enormous pressure on educators. Increasing administrative workloads take away the time teachers must spend in the classroom teaching. A study by the University of Stellenbosch indicated that 50% of South African teachers are considering leaving the profession within a decade, citing administrative burdens as the primary source of stress. Teachers cannot be expected to continually do more with less while carrying the responsibility of preparing future generations.
SADTU therefore calls for sustained and adequate investment in public education. Education must be treated as a fundamental social investment and not merely as an expenditure to be reduced when budgets come under pressure.
SADTU calls on government and society to move beyond words and demonstrate genuine respect for teachers through concrete action. Honouring teachers means ensuring decent working conditions, fair renumeration, safe schools, adequate resources, professional development, and meaningful participation in decisions that affect the education system and the teaching profession. It also means restoring the social status dignity of teaching. Teachers deserve to be recognised as professionals whose expertise and commitment are essential to building a just, equal, and prosperous society.
In conclusion, SADTU congratulates the teachers who were honoured for their excellence in the National Teaching Awards organised by the Department of Basic Education. The Awards recognise, appreciate and celebrated excellence, dedication and innovation in the teaching and school leadership.
We would like to see more of such initiatives undertaken not only by the Department of Education but the private sector as well.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat