Sadtu should know its place - DA

2014-07-15 21:13

Cape Town - The DA on Tuesday called on government to put the country's largest teachers' union in its place.

"Use the courts, do whatever it takes, but make Sadtu [the SA Democratic Teachers Union] understand it does not run education in this country," DA MP Annette Lovemore said, speaking during debate in Parliament on the education department's R19.68bn budget.

She called on Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to "reclaim your management prerogative from Sadtu".

The union, a Cosatu affiliate, has a membership of about 240 000 teachers.

Lovemore said its members should no longer be allowed to get away with ill-disciplined behaviour in the country's schools.

"No longer should Sadtu interfere with appointments; no longer should Sadtu members refuse to sign performance agreements or undergo competency tests; no longer should Sadtu members escape accountability."

She said Motshekga had to rise to the challenge.

"Education in the public sector is the prerogative of the government, not of Sadtu," Lovemore said.

Comments

• Ld van Vuuren - 2014-07-15 21:24

  Hear, Hear. In fact; they should be banned. People in a vocation (as this) should not need Union protection. Their circumstances and causes should be embraced by the public and be cared for by a thinking (strange word)Government. Unionized people in the profession are there for own gain and must be ousted ASAP.

  Adele van Vuuren - 2014-07-15 23:09

  You clearly have never been in a position where you are abused by a principal, parent or learner. Unions for teachers also take care of such matters. I agree that Sadtu might be getting carried away but all unions for teachers are not the same.

• Richard Young - 2014-07-15 21:44

  All these unions are getting out of hand. They starting to compete with each other like businesses. Only to the detriment of the country. Each trying to outdo each other to gain more members so that the few at the top can live the high life

• Ld van Vuuren - 2014-07-15 22:17

  Hear me REAL Teachers -- Take SADTU back. It is not what you are! We embrace the real teachers. We abhor those would-be politicians that try to use you. Show your mettle. Kick them out or start a new UNION WITH PUPILS NEEDS UPFRONT. We will see to your needs. Just get rid of the adders.

  Hendrik Potgieter - 2014-07-16 03:11

  Who are you? Can you be trusted to take care of teachers needs?

• Setshone Mokoena - 2014-07-15 22:26

  I think lovemore and the rest of his Cronnies who are condemning SADTU are reactionay Ultralefiest lumpen forces. Actually they are nostalgic to Apartheid Education which is a mutant offspring of Colonial Ediucation.They have necessarily no idea of the situation looked like in this country before democracy.The other quiestion is whether did they ever live in this country during Aparthed.They seem to be enjoying the slumber train-After all they are a Bunch of useless individuals.SADTU is a revolutionry. T eachers Union not an Association of Mareactionery who are busy con

  Xavier7034 - 2014-07-15 22:44

  Huh? .

  Roland Frost - 2014-07-15 23:04

  Dude, please peruse your comment again and ascertain whether it makes any sense. You will note that another reader very wisely only commented "huh". You are obviously either drunk, drugged, mentally disadvantaged or a victom of Sadtu education under Aggie. Please refrain from commenting om future articles as you will again make a fool of yoursel and irritate intelligent people. Thank you kindly.

  Simphiwe - 2014-07-16 02:40

  In a tavern?

  Hendrik Potgieter - 2014-07-16 03:03

  Mokoena, you might have a point there, but why use so understandable words? Are you a victim of apartheid?

• Sandile Ngiba - 2014-07-15 22:51

  Why are SADTU members children not attending government schools ?

  Jon Low - 2014-07-16 01:29

  The overwhelming majority of Sadtu members' children DO attend government schools. A handful attend private schools because it is the prerogative of every parent as to how to spend their own disposable income. And there is nothing at all stopping teachers at private schools from joining Sadtu either -- that too is their free choice.

  Simphiwe - 2014-07-16 02:29

  Why are children of ministers and of public officials in general not sent to pubilc schools. Why are public officials not going to public hospitals? This problem is complex and multifaceted. Teachers and sadtu members in particular can't be blamed for the failure of public officials.

• Thoko Mtetwa - 2014-07-15 23:41

  Teachers have rights in this country like all other people,As I'm reading comments here some people are talking like teachers are useless or crazy people, They don't even understand what 's going on in South African schools, Talking about curriculum changIng now now and then , lack of TeachIng and learning material, infrastructure , lack of discipline , they are earning peanuts, I'm namIng few, Some of u can't even control your spoil breeds at home but you you expect teachers to do their job properly, some of you are not even aware that in few years comming your little spoil breeds will be taught by foreigners because most experienced and qualified South African teachers are resigning,and no one is replacing them,People don't forget you are who you are because of the teachers.

• Chol Mabeo - 2014-07-16 00:24

  DA should be extra careful how they go about tackling this ANC/SADTU relationship. It is a love-affair precariously based on one holding the other to ransom in so far as schooling is concerned in townships. Their forced separation might have dire consquences in the schooling system in townships. Should also remember that SADTU paid with its large numbers, in the recent elections, to enjoy this status.

  Stephen AndKathy Whiteley - 2014-07-16 07:46

  The love affair may be useful to the ANC for electoral support, but for the children it is disastrous. S

• George Gibbs - 2014-07-16 01:57

  Unions should not be involved in politics - they are only being used for votes.

• Tsakani Chawane - 2014-07-16 03:21

  'Loser' yourself Victor. A teacher taught you to write your name.

• Abongile S. Ngozi - 2014-07-16 03:59

  I Repeat. Iya speeder leDA

• Lindokuhle Mhlongo - 2014-07-16 04:44

  angie won't kill da goose that lays da golden votes

• Dragonfly - 2014-07-16 06:55

  Yes, it should, but it doesn't and never will. It is too easy to hold the childrens' education at ransom "because it is every citizen's right to strike..."...

• Katlego Glamourboy Amakhosi - 2014-07-16 07:27

  yhis is what happens when a ruling party is affiliated witg thesr so called unions and thwy tgink they rule tge world. they nowhere to be found when stastics are released and we bottom 100

• Matshane Seleko - 2014-07-16 08:01

  This signing of performance agreement by teachers is plain nonsense,rubbish I must say.You know why?Parents-particularly in rural areas-do not partake in the education of their children.Systems in the depart chnge morning,afternoon and evening like three meals of the day.Children are unrully,not keen to learn and disrespect their teachers(and parents).Work overload for educators,which is worsoned by principals and HOD's who do not wat to get their fair share of the work.There's corruption from top to bottom.The list is endless.So,to hell with performance agreement until the playing fields are levelled.

  theJoPot - 2014-07-16 09:22

  Do you not understand that the performance evaluation would get rid of the corrupt system? If they are incompetent they will be fired.

  Matshane Seleko - 2014-07-16 10:15

  @Jo:How do you perform at your best with learners who bunk classes more than attend them,who do not do homwork and simply do not give a damn about it?Come be a teacher for one month,in a crowded classroom of difficult learners and lets see how you fair bro.

• Trevin Ralph Oliphant - 2014-07-16 08:28

  Apartheid worked well for you, so we understand your bitterness. However why should the minister listen to reactionary forces,and leave the progressive forces. NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US, FINISH AND KLAAR. Must get rid of that oppressive mentality.

  Photonic - 2014-07-16 11:25

  Progressive forces?? Progress means moving forward, improving. How has education under the ANC moved forward? Clearly you are a product of the education system under the ANC.

• theJoPot - 2014-07-16 09:31

  My mother is a teacher and I am busy with a degree in education. Unions have far too much influence when it comes to education. During the strike in 2009, striking members would intimidate teachers who continued to go to work, even physically assaulting them and threatening to harm students. Unions are meant to ensure the best interests of their members, not to take the country and its children hostage. Unions are a good device, except when they decide to fashion themselves as political movements as is the case in South Africa.

• Gerhard Hartman - 2014-07-16 09:41

  Ja..burner

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