Unions to discuss extra pay for teachers with WCED

By Rhodé Marshall
18 July 2007

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) says, teachers who are putting in extra time to help pupils catch up on lost work should be paid.

Some teachers have spent extra hours at school during the week or on weekends to help pupils.

“It is only right that educators are paid for the additional work they do,” says the provincial secretary of SADTU, Jonavon Rustin.

Rustin added that the Employment of Educators Act makes provision for teachers to be paid additionally.

“Teachers should be paid up to R135 or more for every extra hour they work,” says Rustin.

The union is also extremely concerned that the Western Cape Education Department’s recovery plan has not paid as much attention to Grade R to Grade 10 learners as they have to Grade 11 and Grade 12 pupils.

Education MEC Cameron Dugmore is set to meet with union representatives today to discuss the recovery plan and the payment of teachers.