SADTU STUDENTS’ CHAPTER STATEMENT ON SACE IMPOSING MONTHLY
SUBSCRIPTION FEE ON UNEMPLOYED EDUCATORS.
It is with profound outrage that we respond to the South African Council for Educators’
(SACE) longstanding decision to impose a monthly subscription fee on unemployed
graduates who aspire to be teachers. This is an egregious policy that not only undermines the aspirations of our youth but also reveals a profound disconnect between SACE and the
realities faced by those who wish to dedicate their lives to education.
At a time when South Africa is grappling with high unemployment rates and economic
instability, particularly among the youth, SACE’s insistence on charging aspiring teachers to
remain registered with the council is not only shortsighted but profoundly unjust. This long
standing practice places an additional financial burden on young graduates who have already invested their time and resources into their education, further perpetuating cycles of exclusion and inequality within our educational system.
It is unacceptable that the very institution that should champion educators chooses instead to impose financial barriers that threaten to prevent capable and passionate individuals from
entering a profession that is crucial to our nation’s future. This policy sends a clear message: that access to teaching, a vital component in our society’s development is reserved for those who can afford it, rather than being a right for all who are qualified and willing to contribute.
Moreover, this decision raises critical questions about SACE’s commitment to ethical
governance and its role as a steward of educational integrity in South Africa. By prioritizing
subscription revenue over the support and development of future educators, SACE not only
jeopardizes the quality of education but also tarnishes its own reputation as a leading
authority in the field.
We demand immediate and decisive action from SACE to rescind this unjust policy and to
implement initiatives that genuinely support and uplift our educators, especially those at the
beginning of their careers. The future of education in South Africa hinges on the ability to
attract and nurture talented individuals who are passionate about teaching, regardless of their economic background.
It is time for SACE to align its policies with the transformative vision of our country, ensuring that every aspiring educator has the opportunity to thrive without the shackles of financial burden. We call on all stakeholders, government, civil society, and the public to join us in holding SACE accountable for creating a more inclusive educational landscape that embraces the ambitions of our youth rather than stifling them.
#NO JOB, NO FEE!
#STOP UNFAIR SACE LEVY
Issued by National Coordinator
Xolani Dube