SADTU Northern Cape shocked and saddened by the passing on of the MEC for Education, Mac Jack
We are shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of our MEC for Education in the Northern Cape, Mac Collen Jack. MEC Mac Jack served as the MEC for Education since May 2019 until he met his death on the 13 August 2020. In the short space of time that he has served the Education Department in the Province, Mac Jack has shown qualitative leadership. He was very passionate and focussed in improving the education system.
SADTU Women’s Day
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), the biggest union in the education and the public service sectors, will join millions of South Africans in celebrating the National Women’s Day on the 9th of August.
SADTU’s Response to the Closing of Schools as announced by the President
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union cautiously welcomes the announcement by the President of a four week non-physical contact break in order to save lives during this winter period. This announcement comes after the persistent call made by the recognised teacher unions, learner organisations and some school governing bodies and some sectors of society for schools to be closed immediately until we have gone past the COVID pandemic peak.
SADTu's response to the alarming increases in Covid 10 infections in schools and in Communities
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union, the biggest union in the education and public service sectors, today held a special meeting to come up with an urgent response to the spikes in COVID 19 cases in our schools.
SADTU response to the 2020 Supplementary Budget Speech by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni
As the largest union in the public service sector, we were expecting the Minister to announce the amount that has been budgeted to meet the salary increases for the sector which are long overdue as they were supposed to have been paid in April. Instead of announcing the figure, he referred to the negotiations with labour that are being led by the Minister of Public Services. These negotiations are long overdue because an agreement for salary increases was signed way back in 2018. Clearly, no money has been set aside for the 2020-21 salary increases. Instead, the budget will be cut by R160 billion. Moving forward, this budget has sent a clear message that there will be no wage negotiations in 2021-2022. Instead, public service will bear the brunt for the preceding R230 billion budget cut. The supplementary budget has sent a clear message that there is going to be salary cuts and thousands of job losses in the public service.
SADTU and COSAS in Free State joint Media Statement
The South African Democratic Teachers Union in the Free State and the Congress of South African Students held a successful bilateral meeting on the 23rd June 2020 in Bloemfontein. The meeting took place during the increase of coronavirus that has recently engulfed our education sector resulting in many schools being forced to close on daily basis.
SADTU Western Cape condemns Gender Based Violence after the killing of two learners
SADTU in the Western Cape is saddened by, and condemns the alleged rape and brutal killing of 17-year old Amahle Quko, a Grade 11 learner at Sinethemba High School in Phillipi. The Union further condemns the murder of the 7-year-old Raynecia Kotjie of Belhar. She was a Grade 1 learner at Belhar Primary School. The attacks on our female learners cannot be tolerated.
SADTU Free State condemns conduct of FS Provincial Education Department
The union notes with disappointment the release of LTA 11 (NSNP) 2020 sent to schools on 19 June 2020 for implementation on Monday, 22 June 2020. We further note media announcement by Free State Provincial Education Department on provision of NSNP for all learners. Through this media announcement, community is informed that learners who are not yet at school and who normally receive NSNP meals may go to their respective schools to fetch their meals from Monday, 22 June 2020. This refers to learners in all Grades other than 12 & 7.
SADTU and COSATU Public Service unions take the fight for salary increases to arbitration and is outraged by the senseless killing of women and vandalizing of schools during Lockdown
SADTU, together with COSATU public service unions POPCRU, DENOSA PAWUSA, SAEPU and SAMA are taking the fight for salary increases of public servants to the next level. The dispute on the non-implementation of PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2018 - Agreement on the Salary Adjustment and Improvements of Conditions of Service for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 is proceeding to arbitration. The arbitration is set down for 22 June 2020.
SADTU Message on 2020 Youth Day
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) joins the country in commemorating the youth of 1976 who, on this day, rose up against all odds to defy the apartheid education system and thus paved the way for the democracy and freedom we so enjoy today. As SADTU, we pay homage to the youth of 76 for understanding the power of education in liberating the people from mental slavery and ignorance and their understanding of the role of quality education as an enabler to the young and old.
Jiont Media Statement by Education Teachers Nunion and National Governing Body Associations on the readiness of schools to re-open
The five Teacher Unions (SADTU, NAPTOSA, SAOU, NATU, PEU) together with the School Governing Body Associations (FEDSAS, NASGB, GBF, SANASE) met with Minister Motshekga, the Deputy Minister, MECs of Provinces, the Director General in the Department of Basic Education, the Provincial HODs and various other officials, to receive reports from the Ministry about the COVID-19 Compliance of schools and readiness to re-open schools. We wish to emphasize that the meeting was open, frank and in a positive collaborative spirit that sought to join forces in combating a threat that affects not only everyone involved in education but also the future development of our country as a whole.
SADTU Free State Media Statement on Re-opening of schools
SADTU in Free State held its Special Provincial Executive Committee meeting today, the 31st May 2020 to reflect on the state of readiness by the Provincial Department of Education thus far. The PEC reflected on the progress made since the Union first issued communiqué to members not to report for work on the 11th May 2020 (SMTs) and teachers on 18 May 2020 as per the directive of the department. Since then, a communication forum for engagement between department and unions was created and meets on weekly basis.
Joint Media Statement by Teachers Unions on the Media Statement by the Minister of Basic Education on the Resumption of duty in the Basic Education
The Minister of Basic Education today, 31 May 2020, released a statement on resumption of duty in the Basic Education Sector. The statement was released a@er an outcry by the Teacher Unions and Governing Body Associations joined by the public for the Minister to provide leadership.
SADTU Limpopo Province Media Statement on the Re-Opening of Schools on the 01st of June 2020
SADTU Limpopo Province issued a media statement on the 23rd May 2020 wherein we expressed our misgivings about the intention of the Limpopo Department of Education to recall educators back to work in preparation for the schools re-opening on the 01st June 2020. The union then advised the educators not to return to work as the department had not yet put in place the health safety precautionary measures before workers could return to work.
Joint Media Statement by Education Teacher Unions and National Governing Body Associations On The Readiness of Schools to Re-Open
The National School Governing Body Associations (Federation of School Governing Bodies of South Africa, National Association of School Governing Bodies and the Governing Body Foundation) met with the Education Trade Unions (SADTU, NAPTOSA, SAOU, PEU and NATU) on 28 May 2020 to consider and discuss the state of readiness of schools to re-open on 1 June 2020 as announced by the Minister of Basic Education.
SADTU Mpumalanga on the Re-opening of schools
SADTU in Mpumalanga has noted Circular 22 of 2020 from the Mpumalanga Education Department on confirmation or resumption of duties by teachers and support staff.
SADTU statement on the appointment of new PIC CEO
The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU), the biggest union in the education and public service sector, welcomes the appointment of Abel Moffat Sithole as the CEO of Public Investment Corporation (PIC).
Joint Union Statement Teacher Unions KZN status of re-opening of schools in KZN
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented event and has caused death and destruction throughout the world, as a result human solidarity in acting together has become critical. It is for this reason that the Unions in the Province of KZN have agreed to stand together and act jointly.
Statement of SADTU in KZN on readiness of schools to re-open for teachers
SADTU in KwaZulu-Natal noted the call of the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, to re-open schools across the country on 1 June 2020 amid persistent Covid-19 cases growth. This announcement was followed by KZN Circular 30 issued by the HOD indicating that upon the assessment done by the department they were confident that schools were ready to receive school Principals the 21 May 2020.
SADTU Eastern Cape Media Statement on the reopening of schools
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the Eastern Cape wishes to accept and appreciate the engagement between the employer and the stakeholder on 23 May 2020. This statement is informed by the promise we made in the circulated PWC decisions on 22/05/2020 that we will engage and advise in relation to Instruction 17 Issued by Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE).