Talks end strike
Breidbach High action plan
LAST week’s strike action concerning the shortage of teachers at Breidbach Secondary School has ended in the Eastern Cape Legislature with consensus being reached on a plan of action in a bid to find a solution to the crisis.
The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) brought the matter to the attention of the legislature after it came to light that two of the five teachers who reported at the school were turned back after a closed meeting between department officials and school principal, Lesley Mara, his deputy Morris Jagers and members of the Senior Management Teachers (SMT).
“Parents were angry and threatened to close the gates after news spread like wildfire through our community and we begged them to give us a chance to deal with the issue as a matter of urgency,” said Sanco branch secretary, Stacey Gosling.
She said all attempts to locate the school management team had failed.
“We as the Sanco executive called an emergency meeting with the parents where we decided to get advice from the legislature in an attempt to rescue the situation and immediately received their unwavering support,” said Gosling.
A meeting was called by the legislature early the next day which consisted of all stakeholders such as the department officials, school heads SMT, members of the governing body and Sanco. The meeting was convened by MP M. Mrara.
“I was approached by Sanco for an urgent meeting during our budget speech yesterday morning whom I asked to see immediately after the sitting,” Mrara said.
“They waited for me until the session adjourned and after listening to them with senior members of the department we decided to organise this meeting with all stakeholders in finding a solution to the problem,” he said.
After stakeholder deliberations on the crisis engulfing Breidbach Senior Secondary, it was decided that the vacant posts at the school would be filled.
It was also decided that outstanding matric certificates would be given to the parents, who were still waiting for them.
Mrara thanked Sanco and the governing body for their initiative to stand up for the parents and community and called on them to work together in taking the school forward.
School Governing Body Treasurer, Barry Fritz, also commended Sanco for assisting the school with their challenges.
Sanco chairperson Desmond Allison said they had a responsibility to the entire community and would keep on striving to change the ward for the betterment of all.
The meeting adjourned immediately thereafter.
Attempts to get a comment from the school principal were unsuccessful by the time of going to print.