Teachers stand fast

THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) never learns from its mistakes. The rationalistion of teachers is never a good idea.

Since 1996, schools of the oppressed have had to deal with the loss of teachers on a regular basis. The so-called Morkel model in determining the number of teachers at a school depends on the amount of money the WC legislature receives from the national government.

I have always argued that a simple model be used. The state should determine a pupil-teacher ratio, for example, 25 pupils: 1 teacher. One is then able to determine exactly the number of teachers a school would qualify for. This kind of model protects the schools from losing teachers.

Many schools are facing teacher cuts in the Western Cape for the academic year 2018. Former model-C schools and a few schools of the poor will be able to weather this storm by increasing school fees and thereby retaining teachers in governing body posts.

Most schools of the poor will not have these resources. These schools must organise to oppose this draconian measure by the DA regime. Unless teachers use their teacher unions and parent bodies to oppose this unjust measure, our schools will continue to fall into decline.

When I was in teaching, I told teachers who the WCED wanted to rationalise, to stay in their posts. WCED cannot remove teachers from their posts. Civil disobedience is the way in which one fights opponents who stand for injustice. Viva teachers!