Sadtu teachers strike in Eldos
Parents step-in to look after learners
Some parents in Eldorado Park were forced to step up to the chalk board yesterday after the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) withdrew its members from 29 schools in the area. However, in some areas learning was totally disrupted as Sadtu boycotted classes, citing safety issues.
At Eldorado Park Secondary School, 11 teachers did not pitch up for work and parents decided to help supervise the pupils in class.
Patience Lonscey, 37, one of the parents who helped at school, said pupils were out of control.
“I am helping Grade 10s with their maths, just to keep them busy. If kids are left on their own they get involved in wrong things, hence there is a group of parents looking after them,” Lonscey said.
A 17-year-old Grade 12 pupil said she was disappointed that the teachers boycotted school.
“Everything is a mess, we did not have teachers. It is unfair because when they come back they will put pressure on us to cover for lost time,” she said.
At Silver Oak Secondary School, 11 teachers also did not report for duty.
A 16-year-old Grade 12 pupil said: “It is chaotic around here as there is no learning. The teachers are delaying us from finishing the syllabus.”
Another 16-year-old Grade 9 pupil from Freedom Park Secondary School said they were sent home at 9am.
“We wanted to go and learn but now we are sitting on street corners,” he said.
Sadtu branch member Desmond Luvhengo said they withdrew their members because of safety issues.
“Especially at Freedom Park Secondary School where there are allegations that the principal is abusing teachers.
“There are also unresolved issues of schools selling reports to pupils who have failed, and a teacher who has been rehired after he was dismissed for sexual offences,” Luvhengo said.
Gauteng education department spokesman Steve Mabona said the department was concerned that teachers were out in the street instead of focusing on teaching.
“We always encourage the union to engage the department first before leaving pupils unattended,” he said.