Snl24 | WATCH: Grade R teachers demand recognition!
Members of the South African Early Childhood Development Teachers Union marched to the Department of Basic Education in Tshwane on Wednesday to hand over a memorandum of grievances. Photo by Raymond Morare
DailySun Dr Bafana Langa education activist said that Grade R teachers have been earning stipends for over 10 years, and they still sign contracts. He said this is unlawful. Video by Aaron Dube pic.twitter.com/mP4QPcNdCF
ā Aaron Dube (@AronDube) July 24, 2024GRADE R teachers are expressing frustration and feel marginalised by the Department of Basic Education.
The South African Early Childhood Development Teachers Union staged a march to the Department of Basic Education in Tshwane to submit a memorandum of grievances on Wednesday, 24 July.
Dr Bafana Langa, an education activist, highlighted that grade R teachers are crucial as they introduce school beginners to education.
He said that these teachers are essential in building the vocabulary and library skills of young pupils.Ā
DailySun Dorcus Matshabe ECD owner in Vaal and representing Unemployed Diploma in Grade R Graduates Students Strugglers Forum said they need recognition from the department of basic education. Video by Aaron Dube pic.twitter.com/Dhk9AQTaG2
ā Aaron Dube (@AronDube) July 24, 2024″These teachers are mistreated, and most are women. The system is abusing our women. These teachers are not absorbed permanently by the department,” he said.
Langa noted that these teachers have long been working without benefits and are underpaid.
“This issue is causing them stress, and their health is deteriorating. They don’t have pension funds,” he said.Ā
Langa mentioned that many teachers across South Africa are impacted.
“A concerned teacher cannot deliver effectively to a child. Grade R teachers play a fundamental role. These women don’t have maternity leave,” he said.
The South African Early Childhood Development Teachers Union marched to the Department of Basic Education to hand over the memorandum of their grievances on Wednesday, 24 July. Video by Aaron Dube pic.twitter.com/S3Pxpvaz2k
ā Aaron Dube (@AronDube) July 24, 2024Teacher Titi Mokoena said: “We are begging for a salary increase. We ask for our fellow teachers who are not qualified to be appointed permanently. We want to know where our UIF is going.”
She shared that their salaries range between R7 000 and R10 000.
Another teacher, Nomanani Nonjewu, expressed frustration that the department is not taking their concerns seriously.
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“We’ve been visiting education offices without help. We all want permanent jobs and are not concerned about qualifications,” she said, adding that she has spent almost her entire career teaching grade R without benefits.
Dorcus Matshabe, an ECD owner in the Vaal and representative of the Unemployed Diploma in Grade R Graduates Students Strugglers Forum, said: “We demand recognition for grade R teachers, especially those who are in the system and with a diploma in grade R who are unemployed. We are not fighting. We are laying a foundation for these learners.”
She also mentioned that the department is phasing out levels 4, 5, and 6, affecting teachers who pursued education.
Director of education labour relations and conditions of services, David Ntloana received their memorandum.
“I’ve been requested to receive the memorandum on behalf of the ministry. We promise that the minister will revert to the leadership. We commit the ministry will revert to you as soon as possible,” Ntloana said.
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