Sadtu warns of shut down over books, stationery
THE Limpopo provincial department of education has been given 14 working days to get its house in order or face a total shutdown of schools in the province.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) made the threat yesterday as hundreds of its members marched to three government institutions, starting with the offices of the provincial department in Polokwane, to make their demands heard.
They are demanding the delivery of stationery to all schools, the payment of teachers and proper infrastructure, among other things.
Sadtu members carried placards while singing on their way from SABC Park in Polokwane to the provincial department’s offices.
One sign was written “Build School Infrastructure Now” in bold letters.
Nehawu provincial chairman Calvin Tshamano said the education system was collapsing.
Tshamano directed his comments to Limpopo education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe, who was standing right behind him just before he received the memorandum of demands.
“You elevated the problem of textbooks to the shortage of stationery. You graduated the problems of Limpopo to a higher level. From where we are standing this department is running on autopilot,” Tshamano said.
The memorandum was read and handed over to Kgetjepe by Sadtu provincial deputy secretary Sowell Tjebane.
Kgetjepe is expected to respond to the grievances in the memorandum within seven days while ensuring that they are resolved within 14 working days.
The march comes as the province faces a stationery and textbook shortage with reports of some schools not receiving deliveries. The march is was also supported by other Cosatu-alligned unions, Cosas and the ANC Youth League.
Sowetan previously reported that people attending the ANC 105-year anniversary rally in Burgersfort last Sunday responded by saying “books” when President Jacob Zuma chanted “amandla!”
Sadtu provincial secretary Matome Raphasha said they were tired of the department denying that there was still a shortage of textbooks. Raphasha said some teachers had not been paid their salaries and allowances, and school buildings continued to deteriorate.
The union also wants the department to increase the stipends of early childhood development teachers from R5 000 to R7 000.
“The message is that if these issues are not resolved, rest assured we are going to shut down all the schools and public offices in the province. This is not a threat. We are tired of these shenanigans. We want a proper and quality education,” he said.
Kgetjepe told the crowd that he had heard their grievances and would respond.
Speaking to members of the media, Kgetjepe said they were working around the clock to make sure that stationery is delivered to all schools.
The MEC also said the department was working on processing the payments of teachers.