Gauteng education MEC Barbara Creecy has warned that there will be consequences for teachers who bunk school today to attend a court hearing of Sadtu leader Moss Senye.

Senye, regional chairperson of the teacher union, is expected to appear in court in connection with the alleged assault of a 17-year-old pupil.

"We have asked principals to give us an attendance register. The no work, no pay policy will apply. If parents feel that they want their children to be at court, what can I do about that?,"asked Creecy.

Several teachers and pupils were absent from school when Senye and co-accused made a court appearence, drawing strong criticism from the department.

Creecy also announced a planned education summit to be held in Soweto next month aimed at improving learning and teaching in the township.

"We expect the summit to address topics such as improving classroom teaching and learner performance; how to bring back a climate of discipline, safety and social cohesion in Soweto schools; ways of improving school governance and management and ensuring a political climate that fosters a spirit of learning and teaching," said Creecy.

Creecy said the summit would be convened because of frequent disruptions to learning and teaching in the township, the migration of pupils out of schools in the area to other areas in the province and widespread problems with governance, infrastructure, discipline, and safety.

She said: "There is widespread opinion that we are not getting optimal learning and teaching in Soweto. In places where communities have stepped in and actively taken responsibility, we have seen considerable outcomes. In Alexander, parents have been working pro-actively around schools and the pass rate is improving.

"Parents in Soweto send their children to Orange Farm, though the schools are not as well-resourced, because there parents and teachers are working together."

Creecy said the average matric pass rate of Soweto secondary schools was 63 percent in 2010, compared to a provincial average of 79 percent. In 2009, it was 58 percent compared to a provincial average of 72 percent.

Primary school pupils performed poorly in Grade 3 and Grade 6 tests conducted in 2008 compared with the provincial average. Grade 3 pupils in Soweto had a performance of 32 percent in maths, compared to a provincial average of 43 percent, and 28 percent in literacy compared to a provincial average of 38 percent. Grade 6 pupil performance in the area is 24 percent compared to a 36 percent provincial average.

Soweto has by far the highest number of under-performing schools at 60 compared to other townships such as Sharpeville, Katlehong, Tembisa, Mamelodi, Soshanguve, Daveyton and Evaton that have an average of 10 underperforming schools.

She refused to comment on the racist attack on her by Senye last week. Addressing about 1000 teachers, Senye told blacks to stay away from whites "because they will satanise you". His comments were condemned by Sadtu, other unions and the ANC.