SADTU in KZN has declared a victory through a media statement after successfully managing to fight off a decision by KZN Department of Education (DOE) to retrench 6000 teachers due to a tight budget.
The Education Department had reacted to the decision by National Treasurer to cut the department’s budget by 6.3 billion.
The teacher Union took to the streets and staged a protest at the KZN province on 17 August 2021 to have the department reverse its decision.
SADTU is said to have withdrawn the peer-to-peer engagements which they had already started with the department's MEC in order to intensify their demands.
The union indicated that their focus was to conclude discussions with the KZN Premier to stop any attempts to retrench teachers.
The retrenchments are said to be a big blow for the department, as it directly affects the standard of education in the province.
The commitment to ensure job security and the creation of employment is better aligned with the Premier’s powers which was part of the demands, said the Union.
Following the meetings between SADTU, the DOE and Premier to retain 90 057 teachers, a decision to halt the retrenchments was taken, which SADTU called a victory for teachers and learners in KZN.
The decision to retain all the 90 057 posts, which were initially marked for retrenchments was taken by the KZN cabinet.
The decision is generally welcomed by teaching staff and employees at the education department that are within the system.
The Union said the adherence by the DOE is evident in the successful engagements they had with the department two weeks ago to increase salaries for Grade R teachers.
The department is said to be giving the proposal with the utmost attention and putting processes in place to address the request for an increase.
SADTU is said to be committed to fight along with its members to ensure continuous success through its evident victories.
