The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has issued a threat of street protests if the KwaZulu-Natal province proceeds with plans to eliminate thousands of teaching positions.
The union asserts that approximately 4,000 teaching roles might disappear within the province, even though educational institutions continue to face difficulties in recruiting staff.
Nomarashiya Caluza, the secretary of Sadtu, stated that the union demands either an increase in the total number of teachers in the province or, at minimum, the preservation of the existing complement of around 90,050 educators. Caluza emphasized that dismissals based on financial issues would not be accepted, nor would she accept a reduction of about 4,000 teachers in schools.
She further noted that newly established schools are experiencing recruitment challenges, and substitute teachers covering for colleagues who are absent due to illness or maternity leave are reportedly not receiving payment. Caluza stressed that there has been an ongoing issue with unpaid salaries since the start of the year, declaring that the union is committed to protesting until the provincial government adequately finances the schools.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education had not provided a response to inquiries from the Sunday Tribune when the article was published. Sadtu has previously organized demonstrations regarding delays in the disbursement of school funding under the Norms and Standards programme, and the department has long contended with budgetary strains tied to provincial funding limitations.
These financial difficulties have impacted schools; last year, some institutions reportedly received only stationery instead of textbooks. This matter was also brought to the attention of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who met with KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, yet the union maintains that these actions have failed to resolve the core funding problems.
Separately, a gathering of unemployed teachers took place in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, where they met with provincial government director-general Nokuthula Khanyile. This meeting occurred after numerous unemployed teachers had staged a sit-in at the provincial education offices in Pietermaritzburg, demanding employment. During the briefing, the unemployed teachers were informed about potential job openings in other sectors but voiced dissatisfaction over their persistent failure to secure teaching positions.