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Teachers down tools for full-time jobs

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Grade R teachers protest outside the education district offices in Sidwell, Port Elizabeth.             Photo by Chris Qwazi
Grade R teachers protest outside the education district offices in Sidwell, Port Elizabeth. Photo by Chris Qwazi

ABOUT 300 gatvol grade R teachers protested outside the Port Elizabeth education district offices on Monday.

Astra Primary School parents closed the school on Thursday and protested yesterday, demanding more teachers.

Ntombexhanti Bam of the grade R teachers’ temporary committee told Daily Sun: “We aren’t treated as professional teachers. We have been crying for full-time jobs since 2009.”

Education Forum chairman Ronnie Matthys said he was going to hold a meeting to find a way forward.

Astra Primary principal Desmond Lewis said: “We had a shortage of 10 teachers and hired extra staff, but we can’t afford them anymore.”

He said the school was entitled to 28 teachers but only had 22.

Education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said: “The school has a shortage of six teachers, not 10.

“We sent a team to the school on Thursday but were denied entry. We told the principal to hire more teachers, paid a temp teacher and appointed a grade R teacher.”

Department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said: “The teachers know they don’t meet NQF level six. The department and SANTS Private Higher Education Institution offer bursaries to upgrade their skills.”

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