Strike at Parkland Special School now in third week

Support staff at Parkland Special School in Beacon Bay have been on strike for almost three weeks.

Drivers, cleaners, and teaching assistants downed tools after the education department failed to pay their overtime. The Dispatch previously erroneously reported that teachers had also participated in the strike.

More than 200 pupils are affected as they need transport to and from school.

Last week DA MPL Yusuf Cassim visited the school to check on the conditions pupils and employees faced.

Members of the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union told Cassim about their grievances.

All expressed dissatisfaction with the way the department of education handled things.

Two, who asked to remain anonymous, said the department failed to live up to its promises. One said it owed them money dating back to 2018.

“They have been promising us, but no action has been taken.”

The member said they had to fight for the department to take them seriously.

Another member said the school had a shortage of employees and required more to keep it going.

If someone on the staff died, the department did not consider hiring a replacement, and staff were under strain.

“Employees risk their lives. We travel from as early as 4am to be at the school.”

A teacher said the strike was affecting the school negatively.

“Pupils are not getting the services and education they are entitled to. The year’s programme is affected.

“This is the second time this year the support staff have gone on strike.

“We were unable to open in January and opened only in February, and now again this month.”

The teacher said pupil attendance had not been good since the bus strike.

“It is only those children whose parents can afford to take their children to school who attend.

“Teaching is going on but not for everyone, unfortunately.”

Education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said a number of employees who qualified for overtime payments had been paid last week.

“The project is continuing and the rest will be paid, possibly in the next run.”