SADTU warned about strike measures if government continues to cut social spending
Pretoria’s city centre transformed into a sea of red, black and green on Wednesday, with thousands of South African Union of Democrats (SADTU) members opposed austerity measures and budget cuts on public education.
The crowd, led by the presence of a large police force, sang songs of struggle, waving placards, marched into the treasury office and the departments of basic and higher education. Cosatu and some members of the SACP also took part in the protest.
The teachers’ union highlighted concerns about the government’s recent budget cuts and negative impacts on education and teacher morale. This includes poor infrastructure in schools such as toilets, aging classrooms, lack of libraries, increased workloads, overcrowded classrooms, and increased threats of violence on school grounds.
Last year’s Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education last year, confirmed that the state’s education sector is under great financial pressure. She said these have been made for years due to aggressive budget cuts, inadequate spending and a stagnant economy.
Gwarube has revealed that the total forecast budget shortfall across the state from 2021/22 to 2027/28 fiscal year will be around R11.8 billion.
“These budgetary pressures aren’t just about spreadsheet numbers, but fewer teachers, inadequate textbooks and fewer manager support staff, teachers spend time on administrative tasks, reducing learning and teaching time.
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In March, Cosatu President Zingiswa Losi said, “Education is the pinnacle of our nation. This is the future of our children, the future of our nation. We cannot afford to fail them.”
Sadtu spokesman Nomusa Cembi said: “Our members feel that they are not being cared for by the department, especially in rural and town schools. We believe that it is rarely done to see the spiritual well-being of teachers.”
Cembi turned his attention to a recent survey of teacher job satisfaction by researchers from Stellenbosch University. Half of the teachers surveyed wanted to quit their occupation in the next 10 years.
The union gave various sectors for 21 days to respond and warn about strike measures if the government continued to cut social spending.
