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Khutsong teachers protest move
21/04/2007 12:51 - (SA)
Rustenburg - The North West department of education said on Saturday that it would take serious action against teachers and principals who went on strike at Khutsong, near Carletonville, this week.
The move followed their absence from a meeting convened by the North West MEC for education Rev Johannes Tselapedi earlier this month, intended to discuss education matters in the area.
They include the smooth transfer of schools in the Merafong municipality from the control of Gauteng to North West.
"As far as we are concerned, as at April 1, 2007, administratively all teachers in Khutsong are now managed by the North West provincial government," said the acting superintendent general, Mathanzima Mweli.
"Teachers should know the principle of no work no pay will apply for the period where effective teaching and learning did not take place."
He warned teachers that their participation in the illegal strike was a "wildcat", unprotected action.
According to the Labour Relations Act and the collective agreement at the bargaining council by all unions, such strike action may lead to possible dismissal, he said.
"The department will, therefore, not hesitate to take such drastic action to bring sanity to educators.
"We will not be held ransom by educators whose primary responsibility is teaching and giving our learners quality education."
Mweli said the department would also take necessary disciplinary action against all the principals and deputies who failed to honour the invitation of a second meeting on Tuesday.
Another meeting would be scheduled for next Wednesday to resolve the challenges faced by teachers in the area.
"Our priority is giving children education they deserve, all other complaints should be handled elsewhere and not in the school yard," he said.
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