Incompetent teachers also part of problem

Both COSATU and SADTU are operating outside their jurisdictions in their strike actions. While their role is to make representations on behalf of educators, they can in no ways demand the dismissal of anyone prior to a proper investigation being conducted, and apart from the proper channels.
The basis for SADTU’s strike, that teachers are blaming the regional director for Ilembe’s poor pass rate, holds no water. It is myopic, to say in the least, for SADTU to assume that the pass rate of four municipalities rests solely on a single individual. Various other contributing factors, including incompetent educators, should also be taken into consideration.
The behaviour of striking SADTU members at Umhlali Preparatory School and Ashton College is perhaps an indication of how unscrupulous and unruly the organisation itself really is.
It’s an understatement to call SADTU members, who are qualified educators by the way, professionals. SADTU should scrap its code of conduct which it consistently violates.
Educators are supposed to treat pupils and schools with dignity and respect. Educators should act responsibly and in a manner that maintains the honour and dignity of their profession.
Unfortunately these so-called educators, clearly SADTU members, were acting like uncivilised Neanderthals on Wednesday when they disrupted learning and enforced the closure of the Umhlali Preparatory School, and when they became aggressive, rude and racist at Ashton College.
Their naïve attempt to disrupt Ashton College shows how uninformed this organisation can be at times. Ashton is a private institution and none of its educators belong to SADTU.
What logic SADTU used in attempting to strike outside Ashton College baffles me, and I know that it probably baffles their own members just as much.
Even the disruption at Umhlali Preparatory School was unnecessary. After all only four teachers from this school are SADTU members.
The school may be partly state-aided but the bulk of its funding comes from fees paid by parents. So SADTU must respect the rights of the parents and governing body of this school. These schools have a right to continue learning even in the face of SADTU strikes.
It is paradox that, in taking a stand against bad education results, SADTU has to disrupt education in the process.

CLLR NEL SEWRAJ (ACDP)
KwaDukuza