Learners' rights: Evidence shows that SADTU does stand in the way of education reform
In its response to the Centre for Development and Enterprise report on education reform, the South African Democratic Teacher's Union (SADTU) has protested that it does not stand in the way of reform.
Really? The evidence suggests otherwise.
Firstly, it is generally accepted that performance contracts for principals and deputy principals are a vital tool to improve education performance. Yet, our implementation of performance contracts in the Western Cape has led to vociferous resistance from SADTU. SADTU's unwillingness to support the Western Cape's requirement of competency tests for markers of matric exam papers is similarly obstructionist and detrimental to our children's education.
Secondly, SADTU's ‘picket-happy' approach to industrial action has been demonstrably bad for the quality of schooling. Let us not forget that SADTU is responsible for two-fifths of all working days lost due to strikes since 1995. Not only that, SADTU was the key roleplayer in the two biggest strike years on record - 2007 and 2010 - when 30 million work and teaching days were lost in total.
So, SADTU can protest that it does not stand in the way of quality education all it likes. The facts, however, tell a different story.
Of course, not all teacher unions exhibit the same cavalier disregard for our children's education as SADTU. Tomorrow morning, I will be delivering a speech to one such union that has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism, the National Teachers' Union (NATU).
As a historically black teacher union founded in 1918, NATU boasts significant experience in education matters. I will use this opportunity to speak about how the Democratic Alliance is improving education through its policies in the Western Cape and how we would improve education across the country if we were the national government. It's time that teacher unions and government find common ground - for the sake of our children.
Statement issued by Dr. Wilmot James MP, DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education, September 13 2011
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