Go-slow hurts pupils, so negotiate
WITH reference to the SA Democratic Teachers Union’s (Sadtu) continuing “go-slow”:
The IFP agrees with teachers and others that the ANCled government has failed the country on education. The quality of education is spiralling downwards, with no end in sight.
The “feel-good syndrome” has resulted in pass-rate percentages for matrics being lowered to 30 percent, which does not bode well for the development of South Africa as a whole. Without quality education, South Africa cannot prosper.
Covering up the lack of proper and basic education will have serious future socioeconomic consequences.
This is tantamount to committing a crime because it is destroying the future of individuals as well as society.
The IFP believes it is time to bring back the culture of learning and teaching in schools.
But while we understand the frustrations expressed by Sadtu, the IFP believes that a “go-slow” will have a more negative impact on pupils than on government.
The IFP believes Sadtu does need to take the government on, but the strategy it needs to use is negotiation so that the future of our children will not be jeopardised when fighting for personal interests of teachers – that is wages, work conditions, etc.
The IFP believes salaries and working conditions of teachers need to be improved urgently. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Sadtu in this quest. However, we believe this noble goal needs to be achieved through negotiation rather than a “go-slow” at the expense of pupils.
We also need to do away with the ANC’s cadre deployment policy.
This will bring back confidence in education as a whole and encourage personal improvement for all involved.
It is, after all, the prerogative of the president to hire and fire ministers, likewise the prerogative of premiers to hire and fire MECs.
So let them do it for the good of all and the development of our country.
We urge Sadtu to reconsider its decision of a “goslow” and rather enter into constructive negotiations for the benefit of all – teachers, pupils and our futures. MNTOMUHLE B KHAWULA
IFP