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Sadtu appeals to communities to protect schools amidst rising crime

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Sadtu appeals to communities to protect schools amidst rising crime

By Thapelo Molefe

THE South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has condemned the brutal killing of a principal in KwaBhaca in the Eastern Cape and called on communities to ensure that schools are protected.

“As the union, we are extremely concerned about the rising incidents of attacks on teachers in their line of duty. The wanton criminality that is engulfing the country is also rearing its ugly head in our schools, targeting teachers and learners,” Sadtu Eastern Cape secretary Ntame Malibongwe said.

The union held a press conference on Tuesday where it demanded swift action from the police to arrest those who had killed Zakhele Primary School principal Mphakamisi Nciweni.

He was reportedly shot last week, in view of the school community, after a man entered the school premises and demanded a R50,000 “protection fee”, which was refused.

Malibongwe said demands for protection fees were not uncommon.

“Not so long ago, we witnessed attacks on teachers during working hours and had their belongings including cars and cellphones taken from them at gunpoint. As if that was not enough, schools around the Mthatha area were threatened with violence amid the demands for the so-called protection fee.

“The latest incident of the brutal assassination of Mr Nciweni is another in the lengthy list of violent incidents against teachers,” he said.

Schools were a microcosm of society and what happened in society found expression in schools, Malibongwe said.

“It is against this background that we wish to call on our communities to rise and protect our schools. They are not only protecting schools, but also the future of their children. It is only in a safe and secure environment that effective teaching and learning can take place.”

He appealed to communities, the government and civil society to join Sadtu’s “I am a school fan” campaign which sought to foster a culture of learning and teaching.

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Gauteng ramps up awareness campaign after more food poisoning cases

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Gauteng ramps up awareness campaign after more food poisoning cases

By Johannah Malogadihlare

An outbreak response team is conducting an awareness blitz in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni following another four children dying from suspected food poisoning.

Since February, the Gauteng health department has recorded 207 food poisoning cases involving children across the province. Ten of them died.

The teams comprise officials from the health department, municipal environmental health practitioners, local leaders and non-governmental organisations.

The awareness campaign is being conducted in various areas including taxi ranks, informal settlements, malls and hostels. It will last until 13 September.

“This is part of continuing efforts to reduce the risk of food poisoning and fatalities by promoting safe food handling behaviour, promoting the keeping of clean environments, and warning the public about the long-term impact of illegal dumping, including tackling compliance issues by shop owners selling perishable and non-perishable food items,” the health department said in a statement.

Last week Thursday, two siblings aged 4 and 6, died at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Tshwane. On the same day, three children from Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni were rushed to Jabulani Dumane Community Health Centre after vomiting and feeling week.

Two of the children, aged 3 and 5, died on arrival, while a six-year-old remains in a critical condition after been taken to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in the area.

On Monday, the department said that small businesses selling food would be encouraged to apply for compliance certificates and ensure that they have proper zoning certificates.

Non-compliant vendors identified during the inspections would be issued with fines and prohibition notices. And some may be shut down by local authorities.

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Buti Manamela calls for more collaboration in putting SA on the technology development map

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Buti Manamela calls for more collaboration in putting SA on the technology development map

Johnathan Paoli

Higher Education and Training deputy minister Buti Manamela has called for the collaboration between different spheres of skills and specialised areas of knowledge, in order to effectively face the multi-disciplinary landscape of the future.

Manamela delivered a keynote address at the WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) send off ceremony at the River Meadow Manor in Centurion on Friday.

The deputy minister said his key message was to encourage the collaboration that could be seen being pursued within government, universities and between academics.

He emphasised the production of more PhDs and the need to improve the conditions and numbers, particularly skills in specific areas that are currently under-explored.

Manamela said this event confirmed the role the country has in global technological development and research.

“This is a validation of the important work we do in research, we wish to see it having a long term impact on the country’s economy, contribution to technology development and the future of the research being done in universities,” he said.

The department in partnership with WorldSkills South Africa, bade farewell to 26 competitors who will represent the country at the WorldSkills International competition in Lyon, France, from 10 to 14 September.

The South Africans will be joining nearly 1500 other competitors from more than 65 countries across the world to showcase their expertise in 62 skills divided into 6 sectors, including: Construction and Building Technology, Social and personal Services, Creative Arts and Fashion, Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, and Transportation and Logistics.

The competitors come from TVET Colleges, Universities of Technology and private training providers, and were selected after winning gold medals in the WSZA national competition which took place in Durban in January this year.

The research symposium brought students, academics, and other interested parties together to continue the discussion on collaboration between science, engineering and economics at South African and other research entities.

Acting WSZA Technical Delegate, Fumani Mboweni, extended his appreciation to the current ministry for his support and also acknowledged former Minister Blade Nzimande for his instrumental role in securing their participation in the esteemed WorldSkills international competition.

Deputy Director-General Zukile Mvalo highlighted that WorldSkills provides an unparalleled platform for young professionals from diverse trades to showcase their abilities.

“As they compete, they not only represent themselves but also carry the hopes and dreams of the nation. Over the years, we have realised that our participation in WorldSkills facilitates our efforts in aligning our TVET sector with world-class benchmarks and training practices,” Mvalo said.

Mvalo extended his heartfelt wishes for success to the talented competitors and said they carried the aspirations of the nation.

“May their dedication and skills shine brightly on the world stage, knowing that South Africa stands firmly behind them,” he said.

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DA blames National Treasury in the cutting of teacher jobs and services

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DA blames National Treasury in the cutting of teacher jobs and services

Johnathan Paoli

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has blamed the National Treasury for the severe budget cuts education departments are facing across the country, which have resulted in a reduction and non-renewal of teaching jobs and services.

DA spokesperson on Basic Education Delamaine Christians said on Sunday, that the crisis is the direct result of Treasury’s failure to fully fund the 2023 wage agreement leaving provinces to absorb significant budget shortfalls.

“It is unacceptable that provinces are being forced to make difficult decisions because of a wage agreement that was negotiated at the national level but not fully funded,” Christians said.

Currently, the Western Cape is facing a R3.8 billion budget shortfall over the next three years, KwaZulu-Natal is unable to afford over 11 000 educator posts and Gauteng has been forced to reduce learner transport and delay Early Childhood Development (ECD) expansion.

The North West is in need of R485 million, while Mpumalanga has a budget pressure of R876 million.

Free State and Northern Cape have had their budgets cut by 1.8% and 5.8%, respectively, while the Eastern Cape received a limited budget of R42bn for the 2024/2025 financial year

The Limpopo education department has attributed the lagged progress of school infrastructure development to funding constraints due to fiscal consolidation.

Christians said as a result of the shortfall, some contract teachers will not be reappointed after their contract ends, and some permanent teachers may be relocated to fill vacancies at other schools.

She said the national government has a responsibility to protect essential services, including education, and that the underfunding is not only unfair but also threatens the future of South African communities.

“The DA urges the national government to find alternative areas for budget cuts and to ensure that essential public service roles, including those of teachers, are fully protected,” Christians said.

She said her party remained concerned over the potential impact this will have on the quality of education and on the lives of the teachers affected; and will continue to fight for fair funding and quality education for all.

The Western Cape Education department (WCED) announced last month its intention to cut teaching jobs from 37 135 to 34 728, a reduction of 2 407.

WCED’s Superintendent-General Brent Walters confirmed that the department received only 64% of the cost of the public sector wage agreement and subsequently had to fund the remaining 36% itself.

Walters said the costs related to the employment of educators outweigh the department’s budget and that the only choices the department has are to either run into the red financially or to reduce the number of educators in the system.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has rejected the department’s proposal with contempt.

SADTU provincial secretary Sibongile Kwazi said that while the union acknowledged the reduction of the provincial budget, it was not convinced that the department had explored all areas for potential spending reduction.

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Government needs to address the growing teacher jobs crisis with urgency

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Government needs to address the growing teacher jobs crisis with urgency

Edwin Naidu

Ahead of World Teacher’s Day on 5 October, the lifeblood of the nation, indeed the world, educators in South Africa, are under the spotlight over the vagaries of the country’s tight budget.  

Many have lost their posts due to budget cuts and responsibility for their engagements being passed from the National Treasury to provincial departments. Teacher jobs depend on what’s left in the government kitty, and the National Treasury’s budget cuts seem to be sacrificing educator posts. 

This is bad news if South Africa hopes to improve the quality of educational outputs based on the most important person who will deliver these learnings – teachers. 

As reported in Inside Education last month, teachers face a lack of professional development, poor working conditions, heavy workloads, and low salaries. There’s also a general lack of respect and recognition of their critical contribution to society.

This current challenge shows that they are not taken seriously. 

According to the Democratic Alliance, the Treasury’s alleged failure to fund the 2023 wage agreement resulted in provinces absorbing significant budget shortfalls and putting jobs on the line. 

As highlighted by MEC David Maynier, the Western Cape is facing an R3.8 billion budget shortfall over the next three years, even after implementing drastic cuts. 

Other provinces are similarly impacted, with KwaZulu-Natal unable to afford over 11,000 educator posts and Gauteng forced to reduce learner transport and delay Early Childhood Development expansion.

As the world – South Africa included – prepares to celebrate teachers next month, something must be done to address this growing crisis. 

The DA has called on the Treasury to address this funding shortfall immediately. They say it is unacceptable that provinces are forced to make difficult decisions because of a wage agreement negotiated at the national level but not fully funded.

Teachers should be given the job security needed to improve South Africa’s education system. 

According to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “Teachers are central to nurturing every country’s greatest resource: the minds of its people. Yet today, we face a dramatic shortage of teachers worldwide, and millions of teachers who lack the support, skills and continuing training they need to meet the demands of rapidly changing education systems.”

In the euphoria over the Government of National Unity, the lack of unity in the purpose of serving the nation better, especially where teachers are concerned, is disappointing. 

The silence from the teacher bodies, like NAPTOSA and SADTU, over the culling of teachers due to a lack of government funds is deafening.

It beggars belief that President Cyril Ramaphosa would justify spending R44 million on eight imbizos while teacher jobs are being shed in their thousands. 

Ramaphosa believed that this spending was justified so that the government was in touch with its citizens. 

If Ramaphosa held an education imbizo, the president would have heard how the funding cutbacks hurt the economy (contributing to unemployment) and thwarted learning and teaching in South Africa. 

But whether he would do something about it is up for debate. 

World Teachers’ Day will celebrate how teachers transform education, reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and rethink the way ahead for the profession globally. 

But it starts with treating teachers better than the current situation in South Africa, at least. After all, where would we be without our teachers?

Edwin Naidu is the editor of Inside Education.

Parly’s Education Committee condemns rise in extortion violence at Eastern Cape Schools

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Parly’s Education Committee condemns rise in extortion violence at Eastern Cape Schools

Johnathan Paoli

THE Select Committee on Education, Technology and the Creative Industries have condemned the recent killing of the principal of Zakhele Primary School, KwaBhaca, Eastern Cape inside the school premises for a “protection fee”.

Committee chair, Makhi Feni, called for the immediate and severe prosecution of those involved as to set an example.

“This is unacceptable. This is such an abhorrent violent act accompanied by selfishness. This points to a failure of the security system,” Feni said.

The committee sent its condolences to the family members of the principal, as well as the teaching colleagues and learners who witnessed the incident.

Feni said aggressive policing was urgently needed, in light of the violence in the province  – a risk that could compromise the end of the year examinations.

The principal, who has not been named, was reportedly shot last week, in view of the school community, after a man entered the school  premises and demanded a R50 000 “protection fee”, which was refused.

Feni said the criminal and all those implicated with him must be found and called on community members to use the hotline that the national commissioner announced and give the police a tip off.

The chair said it was clear the individuals involved are armed and kill at will.

“This means police should take all necessary precaution and defensive stance when dealing with these thugs and when on patrols or operations,” Feni said.

He said in light of the evasive tactics used by the criminals, the police need to adopt intelligence-driven operations.

The committee praised the work done by sergeant Mawethu Kwetana in successfully arresting four alleged extortionists in Mthatha and hoped for similar action in the Kwa-Bhaca case.

“We acknowledge this bravery with which Sgt Kwetana has dealt with the four alleged extortionists and we call on all the police and other law enforcement agencies to respond to this rising extortion crime decisively and with bravery,” he said.

This comes on the heels of a separate incident, in which a group of extortionists stormed the home of an Efata School for the Blind nurse in Mthatha, OR Tambo Inland.

According to the Eastern Cape Education Department, the extortionist demanded a similar amount from the nurse, and upon his refusal, took his mobile phone, laptop and television.

They subsequently sent a message to the principal, demanding the same amount.

Education MEC Fundile Gade has urged the community to work with law enforcement agencies to bring the extortionists and thugs to justice.

Gade said these incidents are a serious indictment of the government and pose a threat of litigious cases arising if employees can be killed in this fashion while at work.

“The security and justice cluster must appreciate the dire long-term effects of this scourge. We need to go back to the drawing board, review the existing strategy, and execute a new plan to yield different results,” the MEC said.

Extortion has become a significant problem across the province, affecting businesses of all types, and the South African Police Service has deployed a specialised unit to respond to concerning trends in Mthatha and Gqberha.

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Limpopo Department of Health tackles Bilharzia outbreak in a local school

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Limpopo Department of Health tackles Bilharzia outbreak in a local school

Johannah Malogadihlare

THE Limpopo Department of Health said that a team of healthcare professionals have been deployed to administer Bilharzia treatment to 142 learners at Malwandla Primary School on Wednesday.

Department Spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said last week the department sent a mobile clinic team to conduct tests after parents and teachers suspected that learners at the school might be having the condition.

“The dispatched team will provide immediate medical care and treatment to the affected learners. All learners who test positive will receive appropriate anti-schistosomal medication to treat the infection,” said Shikwambana.

Bilharzia may have been caused by contaminated water since the school uses water from boreholes.

Symptoms of Bilharzia include abdominal pains, diarrhoea, urine mixed with blood or blood stools.

The department is working closely with water service authority in the area to assess and improve water quality in the affected areas.

However, the department said that measures will be put in place to ensure that all water sources used by the school and the surrounding community are safe and free from contamination.

The community has been warned to temporarily distance itself from the local rivers as the water may not be safe.

Parents are also urged to seek medical attention at their nearest health facilities once they notice symptoms of Bilharzia in their children.

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Northern Cape Schools Reopen After Measles Outbreak

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Northern Cape Schools Reopen After Measles Outbreak

By Johannah Malogadihlare

Four Schools that were affected by measles in the Northern Cape province re-opened their doors for learning on Monday after the Education Department together with the Health Department took steps to contain the virus.

The four affected schools in the Delportshoop District were temporarily closed for fumigation after the measles outbreak affected 100 learners.

The Northern Cape Department of Education said it has a recovery plan to help the learners catch up with missed school work.

The Education MEC Abraham Vosloo had reported that learners in Grades 4 and 6, were affected by measles. But only Grade 12 learners would be allowed to write the preliminary exams for precautionary measures to avoid further infections.

The Department of Health reported that over 800 children were vaccinated for measles. One learner has recovered from severe symptoms after 5 days of isolation.

The Health Department’s head of Communication Lehuma Ntuane said the rollout of the vaccination at the affected schools had  begun.

“We are happy to announce that schools have reopened and our subject advisor will be assisting learners to catch up with missed school work,” said Ntuane.

Furthermore, lessons started on Monday and everything is back to normal, vaccination continues in the four affected schools, he said.

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Cosatu alarmed by corruption in CETA, calls for urgent government intervention

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Cosatu alarmed by corruption in CETA, calls for urgent government intervention

Lungile Ntimba

THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has called upon President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in stopping the corruption at the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA).

The call comes in the wake of a recent report that fingers CETA’s management board management in corruption allegations after it planned a 24-day overseas excursion at a cost of R4 million.

Cosatu National Spokesperson Zanele Sabela said on Monday the misconducts are orchestrated by the seniors of CETA and called on Ramaphosa to involve the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in the probe.

“It’s time Ramaphosa intervened not only to place this CETA under administration but also to task the SIU to conduct a forensic investigation, including lifestyle audits on the Board and management,” Sabela said.

She added that the union is also angered by reports that management is threatening action against whistle-blowers at the CETA and she called for urgent protection against these threats.

“The Federation stands firm with our affiliate, NEHAWU, and workers at the CETA who have exposed this pandora’s box of wanton looting,” Sabela said while pointing out that SETAs are funded by employers and workers and their  mandate is to invest in skills to improve careers, not to fund “insatiable lifestyles of a criminal elite”.

COSATU emphasised that the union will continue to support the efforts of its principled affiliate, NEHAWU, to surgically excise the CETA of this “cancer of corruption”.

Higher Education Portfolio Committee Halts CETA board’s R4 Million planned field trip on its tracks

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Educor gets green light from DHET Minister to reopen

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Educor gets green light from DHET Minister to reopen

Inside Education Reporter

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has provisionally agreed to reinstate the registration of private education group Educor subject to certain conditions. 

A statement from the DHET said the decision was on condition that Educor fully comply with the Council on Higher Education (CHE) accreditation requirements before commencing any teaching and learning activities. Compliance with these accreditation standards is imperative to ensure the quality and integrity of the educational programmes offered by Educor.

Furthermore, according to the conditions laid down by Nkabane, Educor is: 

  • Required to submit comprehensive monthly reports to the Department. These reports must include, but are not limited to, detailed financial statements, student enrolment statistics, and progress updates on compliance with CHE accreditation standards.
  •  The quarterly reports should particularly focus on the financial health of Educor. The financial statements must demonstrate transparency and adherence to sound financial management practices. Any significant financial concerns must be reported immediately to the Department.

The Department said that the decision to provisionally reinstate Educor is made purely on humanitarian grounds, with the primary aim of minimizing the disruption to the education and prospects of the students currently enrolled. 

Furthermore, the provisional reinstatement does not in any way waive the Department’s rights and powers entrusted to it in terms of the Higher Education Act or invalidate the legal proceedings that the parties were involved in, and, the Minister reserves the right to revoke this provisional reinstatement should Educor fail to adhere to the stipulated conditions or if any further non-compliance is detected. 

The statement said the DHET remains committed to supporting institutions that demonstrate a genuine commitment to providing quality education while adhering to the regulatory frameworks established to protect students and uphold educational standards. 

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