Strike disruptions has the department worried

Lusanda Bill
14 August 2010

Director General Bobby Soobrayan stated that the education department is “strongly” against disruptions caused by the public service strike.

He said “In some of our schools it is apparent that learners have now missed out on an entire week of schooling, despite teacher unions publicly stated that their protests would be limited to one day”.

The education department is very concerned about the reports that the department got, that some schools that were operating as normal were disrupted on Friday, by teachers from neighbouring schools.

Director General Bobby Soobrayan said “These actions cannot be tolerated and we are working closely with the South African Police Services to deal harshly with such incidents”.

Time is running out, with only 71 days to go until the start of the Grade 12 examinations students are under pressure.

It will be known on Tuesday whether public servants will go on strike or accept the government's offer of a 7% wage increase and a R700 housing allowance. They were demanding an 8.6% wage increase and a housing allowance of R1 000.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions-affiliated public sector unions and the Independent Labour Caucus (ILC) stated they will be consulting their members this weekend.