SADTU calls for urgent meeting with Education MEC over unpaid salaries
Teachers union, SADTU wants an urgent meeting with KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Mthandeni Dlungwane over the non-payment of the salaries of some Grade R teachers.
Affected teachers picketed outside the Provincial Legislature in Pietermaritzburg while Dlungwane tabled his 2018 / 2019 budget yesterday.
Sadtu's Bheki Shandu says while they welcome the millions set aside for upgrading and maintaining school infrastructure, Grade R teachers need to be paid first.
"In as much as we appreciate the steps he has taken to take the matter to the Cabinet, there is no concrete response that they are going to ensure that Grade R teachers are adequately attended to in terms of the backlog of their stipends increase," said Shandu.
Commenting on the picket during Dlungwane's budget speech yesterday, Education spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi said they could not yet comment on the teachers' concerns as no formal memorandum had been handed over to the department.
Meanwhile, SADTU has welcomed Dlungwana's announcement that stipend adjustments will now take a Grade R teacher's qualifications into account.
Qualified teachers will now receive R1,250, while those without a qualification will receive R750.
Sadtu's Bheki Shandu says while they welcome the millions set aside for upgrading and maintaining school infrastructure, Grade R teachers need to be paid first.
"In as much as we appreciate the steps he has taken to take the matter to the Cabinet, there is no concrete response that they are going to ensure that Grade R teachers are adequately attended to in terms of the backlog of their stipends increase," said Shandu.
Commenting on the picket during Dlungwane's budget speech yesterday, Education spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi said they could not yet comment on the teachers' concerns as no formal memorandum had been handed over to the department.
Meanwhile, SADTU has welcomed Dlungwana's announcement that stipend adjustments will now take a Grade R teacher's qualifications into account.
Qualified teachers will now receive R1,250, while those without a qualification will receive R750.
SADTU reiterated that this will not displace its demand for the payment of 2017 stipend increases owed to some teachers.