SADTU honours Education Support Personnel on World Education Support Personnel Day
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) joins the global community in commemorating World Education Support Personnel (ESP) Day on 16 May. The day is dedicated to recognizing, paying tribute, and organizing Education Support Personnel,
The day, advocated by the education workers global union federation, Education International (EI), has been celebrated annually since 2018.
The ESP are the unsung heroes of the education system. They play a critical role in ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of schools. Their work impacts the delivery of quality education to learners. ESP include administrators, secretaries, food handlers, cleaners, therapists, librarians, security personnel, teacher assistants, handymen, technicians, counsellors, etc.
Despite their immense contribution into the smooth running of our schools many ESP, the majority of whom are women, continue to face major challenges in the workplace. Most are employed on a casual, part time or contractual basis, leaving them without full worker rights and benefits. The are often underpaid and overworked
SADTU fully supports this year’s theme focusing on gender justice. As women make up the majority of ESP, they are disproportionately affected by workplace inequalities, including sexual harassment, salary discrimination and lack of respect and recognition. They are the first to lose their jobs when budgets are cut.
We welcome the increase in the National Minimum wage to R30,23 per hour from 1 March 2026 and the Labour Law Amendment Bill of 2026 which is aimed at protecting casual, part-time and contractual workers. We believe these will benefit some, but not all ESP as Bill’s main focus is on workers in the gig economy.
SADTU is therefore calling on government to ensure that Education Support Personnel are treated with the dignity and respect they so deserve by:
- Ensuring fair salaries and decent working conditions
- Providing permanent employment with full worker benefits
- Guaranteeing safe working environments
- Protecting them from sexual harassment and all forms of workplace abuse
SADTU salutes all Education Support Personnel for their dedication, resilience, and continued contribution to quality public education. The Union vows not to waver in the fight for the rights and dignity of ESP.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat