Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
The teacher union Sadtu and the student body Cosas yesterday called on teachers and pupils in Khutsong, North West, to return to classes "as soon as possible".
Sadtu spokesman Maropen Seshibe said the union was calling on its members to go back to school for the sake of the future of the pupils.
"We are worried about the situation, but we must consider the future of pupils as a priority," said Seshibe.
He said the strike was likely to have a negative affect on the province's matric results.
Seshibe reminded teachers that their relationship with the Department of education was that of employer and employee.
"We would not like to see a situation where the department will have to forfeit the teachers' salaries because they did not come to work," he said.
The North West Department of Education had earlier given teachers an ultimatum to report for duty with immediate effect.
The strike was not a protected one in terms of the labour laws and the Education Department had threatened to implement a " no-work, no-pay" rule on teachers who continued to stay away from school.
Teachers and students in Khutsong have boycotted classes since last week.
They are supporting the Merafong demarcation forum in its bid to reverse the decision to incorporate the municipality into North West.
Cosas said it was against any form of protest that affected the process of learning.
Call to return to class
Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi
The teacher union Sadtu and the student body Cosas yesterday called on teachers and pupils in Khutsong, North West, to return to classes "as soon as possible".
Sadtu spokesman Maropen Seshibe said the union was calling on its members to go back to school for the sake of the future of the pupils.
"We are worried about the situation, but we must consider the future of pupils as a priority," said Seshibe.
He said the strike was likely to have a negative affect on the province's matric results.
Seshibe reminded teachers that their relationship with the Department of education was that of employer and employee.
"We would not like to see a situation where the department will have to forfeit the teachers' salaries because they did not come to work," he said.
The North West Department of Education had earlier given teachers an ultimatum to report for duty with immediate effect.
The strike was not a protected one in terms of the labour laws and the Education Department had threatened to implement a " no-work, no-pay" rule on teachers who continued to stay away from school.
Teachers and students in Khutsong have boycotted classes since last week.
They are supporting the Merafong demarcation forum in its bid to reverse the decision to incorporate the municipality into North West.
Cosas said it was against any form of protest that affected the process of learning.