YOUR comment ‘Discrimination against our children’ in the Zululand Observer of 6 September is very clear and your conclusion correct: the teachers’ union SADTU controls our education system to the detriment of our children.
During the last few months we received reports of several instances at our schools, indicating that the Education Department is no longer in control.
In a certain sense one can understand the actions of SADTU.
It is a labour union and must at all costs protect and advance the interests of its members (just like all other labour unions).
The education of pupils is obviously not a priority.
That is why SADTU in 2002 could call its members away from the schools for a whole week for a meeting to decide who to support as president of a political party.
The question is: What has the leadership of a political party to do with the teaching and education of the children at our schools?
May I note down the following points of concern:
• Many headmasters and teachers, especially in the rural areas, follow the instruction of SADTU and not that of the Department. Even the Minister of Education submitted to the instructions of the union and retracted her decision that all examiners of matric papers must first pass a prescribed examination.
• Children of cabinet ministers attend private schools. That is also the case with the children of many SADTU members.
• Parents are worried about the education of their children at the schools. They say that many teachers are not qualified and are absent from school for lengthy periods during the term, with their focus only on the payslip at the end of the month.
But if it is pointed out to them that it is what they voted for, they clearly do not understand.
This is really a matter of great concern – in our democracy the majority of the voters do not appreciate the value of their votes.
MIKE ERASMUS
