A communication issued by five teachers unions, including the SA Democratic Teacher’s Union, National Professional Teachers Organization of SA, SA Teachers Union, National Teachers Union and Professional Educators Union, revealed that they were not consulted regarding the cancellation of the October school holidays and that their members need a break to avoid burnout or fatigue.
The rejection of the unions has forced the department to go back to the drawing board.
Department spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said that there was nothing the department could say on the matter as it was being discussed.
“We are presently in a meeting with the stakeholders and the head of education department committee will discuss the matter again tomorrow [Wednesday],” he said.
The unions stated that they were in unison and empathic in urging the department to factor in the pressure and mental health of teachers as they struggle to catch up on lost time.
PEU general secretary, Ben Machibi, said that while they are aware of the fact that the academic year is almost over, they cannot attempt to get solutions at the expense of teachers and pupils.
“We have teachers who have been utilising their spare time during the weekends and school holidays to ensure that they complete the curriculum and do catch up. We are not opposed to any solution seeking exercise through collective agreement with the department on how to strategise to recover some of the lost time,” Machibi said.
Sadtu general secretary, Mugwena Maluleke, stated that educators and pupils deserve the time to rest as the pandemic is causing a lot of mental stress and problems. He said that: “The virus survives from a stressful situation”.
SAOU executive director, Chris Klopper, said that the closure of schools a weak earlier for the winter holidays was aimed at limiting Covid-19 infections in the third wave.
“The absolute fixation to insist on the normal 200 school days per annum despite the fact the world is experiencing an extraordinary period as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic makes no sense whatsoever. Educators are extremely diligent and do their utmost to ensure that the trimmed curriculum is covered. Many educators and learners are emotionally drained as a result of the continuous stress due to Covid-19, the continuous risk of infections and the pressure to complete the curriculum,” he said.
Sources: MSN, Citizen
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