South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and teachers from the Western Cape and Gauteng marched to the Union Buildings to voice their grievances today. They want Minister Angie Motsega to step down as they do not trust her anymore. They also want school upgrades and teachers’ salary increase. Learners from urban schools did not go to school on Wednesday. Those from rural schools did go to school but teachers were not there to teach them.
Basic education spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi warned the teachers that if they take part in the strike they won’t get paid for the days they did not work for. He said the strike was not authorised but the teachers took no notice of what he was threatning them about. Cosatu, led by Sdumo Dlamini intervened in this strike to help Sadtu. Some of the learners took part in the strike as well.
Sadtu threatened the education ministeres by saying, if they don’t get a response within 21 days they will organise the strike that will include all provinces.
Parents are not happy with this strike as they say it will ruin their children’s future because June examinations are around the corner.
Teachers that did not take part in the strike were advised not to teach even though they were present at work.
