Teachers abandon kids - Eastern Cape's education woes worsen
THE worst performing matric teachers in the country started the new year with a work-to-rule mission, downing the chalk even before writing a single word on the classroom blackboard.
' OUST HIM ': Modidima Mannya. Picture by Ivor MarkmanWe aren't happy with the situation and we will do everything in our power as a union to fight this matter
The Eastern Cape provincial matric pass rate dropped from 58,3% in 2010 to 58,1% last year.
This awful state of affairs did nothing to their consciences as they stuck to a decision made before the schools closed last year.
With just a week into the new school year, the province's teachers affiliated to SA Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) do not pitch for work at all, while others leave early.
They say they aren't happy with the way their education department handles certain matters, such as terminating some temporary teachers' contracts and not consulting school heads over teacher appointments.
The teachers are calling for the Eastern Cape education department boss Modidima Mannya to be axed.
Sadtu's Nolitha Mboniswa, says: "We aren't happy with the situation and we will do everything in our power as a union to fight this matter."
She says this happens every year.
"In 2010 about 600 temporary teachers were dismissed. We took the matter to court, which ruled that those teachers must return to work. But most of them were not reinstated."
Mboniswa says the schools are overcrowded, so teachers have to do more work.
"If there aren't enough teachers the children don't get proper education and this leads to poor matric results."
The teachers say Mannya was employed without undergoing vetting or security clearance.
Mannya, in turn, warns of serious consequences for teachers leaving school early to attend union meetings.
On Friday ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe ordered the teachers to go back to work. But the teachers say they will continue with the go-slow until their demands are met.
aprila@sundayworld.co.za
