NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 684
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPERS: 19/04/2013
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 12/2013)
Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) What measures are in place to ensure that a national go-slow by
the SA Democratic Teachersâ² Union (SADTU) members scheduled for
when inland schools reopen on Tuesday, 9 April 2013, does not
impact on learners negatively;
(2) will supplementary examinations that were written in February be
affected in terms of being marked;
(3) whether this action is related to a government proposal that
education be made an essential service, making it unlawful for
teachers to strike; if not, what is the position in this regard;
if so, what are the relevant details? NW850E
REPLIES:
1) What measures are in place to ensure that a national go-slow by the
SA Democratic Teachersâ² Union (SADTU) members scheduled for when
inland schools reopen on Tuesday, 9 April 2013, does not impact on
learners negatively?
The Department has taken measures to ensure that the go slow does
not impact on learning and teaching. Provincial Education
Departments have been provided with learning support materials to
give to learners and encourage them to use in times like this.
The principle of âno work, no payâ will be applicable to any
teacher who is not present at school for a full day or part
thereof. Furthermore, the Department has the Strike Management
Plan which put the responsibility on managers and/or principals to
ensure that they keep records and data of attendance of educators
in their schools during industrial actions. Information provided by
managers in terms of the Strike Management Plan to their Heads of
Education Departments will assist in the application of the âno
work, no payâ principle.
2) Will supplementary examinations that were written in February be
affected in terms of being marked?
Supplementary examinations that were written in February have not
be affected in terms of being marked.
3) Whether this action is related to a government proposal that
education be made an essential service, making it unlawful for
teachers to strike; if not, what is the position in this regard; if
so, what are the relevant details?
This action is not related to a government proposal that education
be made an essential service. Governmentâs proposal that education
be made an essential service did not mean that teachers are not
allowed to strike, but to make education to become a societal
priority.