Teachers to finally be paid

THE five Alfonso Arries Primary School teachers who have not received salaries for the past eight months because of an Education Department glitch will finally get their paychecks by the end of next week.

This was confirmed yesterday by acting principal Bruce Damons, shortly after signing documentation in Bhisho to authorise the payment.

“There was an administrative glitch which made it impossible for our teachers to be paid. As we speak, we have just completed the forms and I can confirm that the salaries of the five teachers will be deposited by September 24,” Damons said.

On Monday, irate parents from Booysen Park, where the school is located, disrupted class in protest over the non-payment.

This compelled Port Elizabeth district education director Nyathi Ntsiko to ad- dress the grievances of the teachers and parents at the school.

Damons said Ntsiko suggested that a delegation accompany Damons to Bhisho.

“We wanted to go there to make sure that no glitches happen again,” Damons said.

The parents’ list of demands included the delivery of textbooks to the school, the transfer of funds from the department for the daily operation of the school and that three volunteer teachers be placed on the payroll – demands the department is addressing.

For the past eight months, Masibulele Kaleni said he and fellow unpaid teachers relied mainly on money from colleagues and family. He had accrued massive debt.

“At times I used to borrow money to buy textbooks to teach my class. Pupils won’t understand when you say there are no teaching materials. But I am very relieved and feel like going home to sleep,” Kaleni said.