Teachers fume over possible deductions

EMJINDINI – Teachers of Kamhola High School in Emjindini have described the decision by the circuit manager of the Barberton Department of Education, Thoko Khoza, to deduct their salaries as “bullying”, “irrational” and “unnecessary”.

Teaching and learning at the school was expected to be severely affected from Monday following the teachers’ threat to boycott classes over their salaries.
Barberton Times can confirm that on Monday, August 12, learners attended classes without teachers.

Forty-six teachers were locked in the staff room were they engaged in a heated discussion with the governing body, including the principal, Joel Ntuli.
Pupils were seen roaming the school premises the whole of the day without any monitoring.

According to the teachers, the bone of contention that made them boycott classes was the letter which was written by Khoza and given to the regional director, Mfana Lushaba, where she recommended that the department dock five days’ salaries to the 46 teachers she listed.

According to the letter dated May 24, which is in Barberton Times’ possession, Khoza said the educators and pupils embarked on a strike on April 15.
“On April 17, pupils marched to the circuit with placards demanding that the principal be reinstated. The issue did not concern anyone other than the principal himself and there was no justification for not teaching and learning.

Educators were advised to go to the education district office to sign the time book, but they did not go and no explanation was given for their refusal. I then recommended that leave without pay should apply to all of them,” read part of the letter.

With trial examinations expected to start early next month, the boycott is expected to have an adverse effect.
According to the teachers, the docking of salaries has serious repercussions on their morale, job satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness. “The docking of salaries has catastrophic results and it was intentionally done to hurt them and to settle personal agendas.

The teachers’ spirits have been dampened by this brutal and delinquent behaviour,” read a statement released by the teachers.
Vusi Siwela, a teacher at the school, said on Monday that learning and teaching should have returned to normal last week Wednesday.