Teachers’ unions against school disruptions
Johannesburg – Teachers’ unions have said they are against efforts by some organisations to sabotage the academic year, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers in schools.
The Department of Basic Education recently appealed to parents and communities to protect schools against disruptions, as grade seven learners returned to schools on Tuesday.
The department said at least 38 Gauteng schools had been affected by disruptions that were orchestrated by school governing bodies and the Congress of South African Students.
National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) director Basil Manuel said if the risk of infections increases, its members would take the necessary preventative measures.
“Schools were disrupted in Gauteng, the Western Cape and Mpumalanga. Our view is that should there be a sudden change in direction of the virus, then we will have to look at things since it is all about the safety of our people,” Manuel said.
Professional Educators Union PEU) spokesperson Ben Machipi called on the department to engage organisations that threaten closures.
“We believe in negotiations and denounce the violence. It is their prerogative to ensure that they take legal action against those people disrupting schools,” Machipi said.
