SADTU NORTH WEST WELCOMES THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW MEC FOR EDUCATION
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in the North West welcomes, without reservation, the appointment of the new Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education Dr Desbo Mohono and wishes her well as she assumes the responsibility of leading the province’s education sector.
SADTU is particularly encouraged by the MEC’s extensive experience in the legislature, having served in various portfolios and departments. As a teacher by profession and a former trade union leader, she brings into the education portfolio a combination of professional experience, political understanding and an appreciation of the critical role played by organised labour in the advancement of public education.
We believe that this background places the MEC in a strong position to understand that education is not merely about policies, programmes and budgets. It is fundamentally about people—teachers, learners, support staff, parents, communities, and education stakeholders. It therefore requires genuine consultation, meaningful stakeholder engagement and respect for established collective bargaining and bilateral processes.
SADTU expects the new MEC to restore and strengthen a culture of meaningful engagement between the Department and organised labour. Bilateral structures must not merely exist as compliance mechanisms; they must become effective platforms where challenges are openly discussed, and practical solutions are collectively developed.
The Union believes that robust engagement does not mean that parties will always agree. Rather, it means that disagreements are managed through established processes, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the interests of education.
We therefore look forward to a new chapter in the relationship between the Department and organised labour—one characterised by openness, accountability, respect and constructive engagement.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for education in the province. SADTU expects the MEC to urgently attend to the persistent challenges that continue to undermine the quality of education and negatively affect the morale of educators.
These include:
– The filling of critical educator and school support staff vacancies;
– The non-conversion and precarious employment of temporary educators;
– Delays in the payment of educators, acting allowances and other outstanding benefits;
– Challenges associated with the implementation of collective agreements;
– Overcrowding and inadequate teacher-to-learner ratios;
– Dilapidated school infrastructure and inadequate water, sanitation and other basic facilities;
– Learner transport challenges;
– School safety and violence against educators and learners;
– Delays and inefficiencies in administrative and human-resource processes;
– The improvement of conditions of service and the morale of educators; and
– Strengthening accountability and consequence management within the education administration
SADTU believes that these challenges require decisive political leadership, proper planning, adequate resources and consistent engagement with organised labour.
SADTU will therefore approach the new administration in a spirit of constructive engagement, principled partnership and robust advocacy. We will support initiatives that advance quality public education while remaining firm in defending the rights and interests of educators and education support personnel.
Our message to the new MEC is clear: SADTU is ready to work with you, but we expect meaningful consultation, respect for collective bargaining, functional bilateral relations and decisive action on the challenges confronting education.
We are confident that, working together with all stakeholders, we can restore stability, improve the conditions under which educators work and create an education system capable of delivering quality education to every learner in the North West.
SADTU North West once again congratulates the MEC on her appointment and wishes her strength, wisdom and success in discharging this important responsibility.
Issued by Provincial Secretariat