By Johnathan Paoli
The SA Democratic Teachers’ Union has expressed its determination at fighting what it claims as insidious attempts of defending apartheid legacies, specifically Afrikaans as a language of instruction within South African schools.
It said in a statement that a key priority for the union in 2025 was the conclusion of wage negotiations for all government employees.
The union has criticised austerity measures that suppress wages, describing them as economically destructive and harmful to educators and public servants.
Sadtu pledged to redouble its efforts to protect the integrity of wage negotiation processes and resist policies that undermined fair compensation and raised alarms over proposed teacher post reductions, warning of their detrimental impact on working-class children and education sector employees.
The union vowed to oppose such measures, framing them as an attack on the public education system and the communities it serves.
The union also committed to finalising negotiations around the conditions of service for Grade R educators, a step it believes is crucial for improving foundational education within a decolonised context.
These efforts align with Sadtu’s broader mission to enhance public education quality and ensure its accessibility to all South African children.
The union announced plans to establish a knowledge institute in 2025, either virtually or physically.
The institute aims to conduct comparative research on education policy, equipping the union and policymakers with insights to improve foundational and functional educational skills.
This project stems from resolutions made during Sadtu’s 10th national congress and is seen as a vital tool for shaping an inclusive and transformative education system.
The statement addressed ongoing controversies surrounding the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (Bela).
The union condemned what it described as efforts by a “racist minority” to derail the Act’s implementation, specifically targeting the Democratic Alliance.
Sadtu accused these groups of resisting the deracialisation and democratisation of education, describing their actions as an affront to constitutional principles and a betrayal of the youth of 1976, who fought against apartheid-imposed educational policies.
It defended the constitutional legitimacy of implementing Clauses 4 and 5 of the Bela Act, rejecting claims that regulations, norms, and standards must first be finalized.
The union criticised Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube for allegedly undermining Parliament’s decision and pandering to what it called “bigoted, racist factions”.
The union called on communities to actively participate in school governance, urging them to counter regressive agendas that threaten access to quality public education.
Sadtu highlighted the importance of grassroots involvement in ensuring that schools remained centres of empowerment and transformation.
Looking ahead, Sadtu reaffirmed its commitment to the transformation of South African society through education and emphasised its readiness to confront challenges and to work with allies dedicated to the emancipation of the majority population.
It underscored a dual focus on addressing immediate challenges, such as wage negotiations and resisting austerity measures, while pushing for long-term systemic reforms to ensure an equitable education system. that upholds the values of a democratic, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.
INSIDE POLITICS
