The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) strongly condemns a call by the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) to its members, to down tools and withdraw their services to monitor and administer Grade 8 to 11 examinations in the province.
The call – in the form of a notice which the DA has seen – also informs schools and members that the strike action is for an unknown period when they state “…postponed until further notice.” This notice is in contravention of SADTU’s own commitment and form of protest called “work-to-rule” which means they are committed to – at the very least – doing the minimum required of them.
While SADTU has committed to not interrupt National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, the assessments for the other grades are also critical given that they are final, end-of-year examinations.
For many Grade 11 learners, these results feature in applications to universities and institutions of higher learning next year. That SADTU can jeopardise this – even in the face of a collapsing KZN Department of Education (DoE) – is despicable.
This SADTU protest will only harm our learners. Yet its actions are a direct result of an uncaring Taliban faction ANC government in KZN, which has failed to adequately address their concerns over time.
While the DA supports SADTU’s observations of poor working conditions for many of their members – it has a duty to ensure that learners succeed, as difficult as that may be right now. Our learners’ futures cannot be placed at risk.
Equally, KZN Education MEC, Mbali Frazer and her department need to ensure that the working environment is fair, properly staffed and resourced.
SADTU should direct their energy towards the ballot box next year and rid the province of the likes of MEC Frazer and her party.
The teacher unions close ties to the ANC have never yielded positive results, as evidenced by their constant need to hit the streets. It is time to re-think their allegiance to an ANC that is not only letting down their members but also our children.
The DA calls on SADTU to reconsider its current action and postpone any form of protest until after the examinations. We also call upon MEC Frazer to urgently engage with SADTU to address those demands that are within the department’s budgetary framework.
The 2024 ballot box is near and KZN’s citizens will be able to prioritise the future of their children by rescuing our province through their vote.