Teachers criticised over sick leave

2010-10-12 22:44

Johannesburg - It is shocking that one of the worst performing provinces in terms of matric passes has the audacity to be at the forefront to compromise education further, the SA Democratic Students' Movement (Sadesmo) said on Tuesday.

Sadesmo was responding to reports that Sadtu members wanted the government to review their leave measures so that they could get more sick leave days.

The proposal was made by the Eastern Cape delegation.

"If these reports are indeed true, one ought to be very concerned, national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said in a statement.

"Sadesmo calls on Sadtu not to let learners down."

Hlengwa said the proposal had not been tabled in parliament and called on Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga "not to accept this nonsensical recommendation when and if it arrives".

Teachers were currently entitled to 21 days off work and 12 days sick leave a year, excluding the days when schools were closed.

Sadesmo also condemned Sadtu president Thobile Ntola's threats to make the country ungovernable, he said.

Hlengwa said: "Let it be clear that we support the need for teaching conditions to be drastically improved, but we call for progress to be achieved in a civilised manner that is worthy of the profession."

- SAPA