Our educators are not treated fairly

THROUGH the medium of your newspaper, I would like to highlight the plight of educators, and thereby sensitise the employer to the manner in which we are being systematically compromised.

From the days of Plato and Socrates, teaching was looked upon as a impressive profession which has exponential value in cultivating the nations of the world.

Today this career has fallen from grace due to undue and uncalled for interferences by the unschooled.

A once distinguished profession has become infected by various factors, including the SGB’s role, in promoting professionals which is compounded by greed in bureaucrats who cause to railroad and determine choices. It is ignominious how the SGB’s, characterised by a distinct hallmark of illiteracy and deficient in professionalism, are sucked into this crude, unfair and unjust system.

Bribery, corruption and intimidation thrive whilst seasoned educators with almost four decades of experience remain at the same level as they were on day one when they began their careers. The life of a sincere and loyal educator becomes a trudge through sludge whilst being shackled by unreasonable impositions by ruthless powers that be.

Since the year 2000, educators were denied a vital contractual benefit whereby 12 days per annum are accumulated as long leave. The argument is that educators have sufficient leave at the end of each terms. All other civil and public servants retain the long leave benefit and utilise it during the year or within 18 months of it becoming due.

The argument denying educators this benefit is skewed.

One notes with disgust and frustration that the Quarterly tests and exams are deliberately scheduled for the last week of the school term in high schools in particular.

The educator is then pressurised to complete the task of marking during holidays. CHARLES MUNSAMY

Tongaat

Letter shortened