KZN Premier intervenes to resolve teachers' strike and ensure June examinations proceed

The June examinations are back on track after intervention from KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, who undertook to bring an end to teachers' work-to-rule protest action. 

On June 2, the teachers’ action involved strictly adhering to job regulations without any additional support. This meant schools cancelled extra classes and postponed the exams. 

The teacher unions had called on the Department of Education (DoE) to address their grievances - that included the failure to pay acting allowances to office based teachers and education workers; and the failure to appoint substitute teachers. 

Muzi Mahllambi, the spokesperson for the KZN DoE, said all schools would resume with the June examinations tomorrow.

Ntuli as well as Francois Rodgers, the MEC for Finance, and Sipho Hlomuka, the MEC for Education, met with the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) and the National Teachers’ Union (Natu) last week.

In a statement, Ntuli said R900 million would be reprioritised to support education.

"All outstanding school payments (2024 and May 2025) will be paid within two weeks. The June exams will go ahead without disruption. Discussions on filling critical education posts are underway. As premier, I remain committed to ensuring that teaching and learning continue across KZN. This is about protecting the future of our children,” said Ntuli. 

On Monday, Sadtu held a meeting with the Head of Department for the KZN DoE, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, to discuss a payment plan and the status of the June examinations. 

Nomarashiya Caluza, Sadtu provincial secretary, said a number of schools did not write the exams as they lacked resources to administer the examinations.

“Many schools have raised concerns about how they are expected to administer exams without receiving the necessary funding from the department. It is widely acknowledged that these challenges stem from budget cuts implemented in recent years, along with decisions taken by the KZN Department of Finance. These include cash blocking, moratoriums on filling vacancies, and the freezing of approved posts on the department’s organisational structure.

“The mere commitment by the premier to assist the department with R900 million does not automatically remove the reality that schools have no money and are waiting for the allocation from the department.  

“The department will ensure that on June 18, all schools resume their mid-term examination. Schools that do not have the necessary resources to administer the June examination will be assisted by the department through printing enough examination papers for all affected schools."

Caluza said the union used the meeting with Ngcobo to reiterate its stance on standardised tests. 

“Forcing schools to write common tests undermines the intellectual capacity of teachers, who teach but are denied the opportunity to assess their pupils. It is noted that the department in KZN imposes the writing of common tests by all schools that got below 85% in the 2024 NSC examination. 

“The department in its presentation suggested that there are high performing schools that voluntarily applied to write common tests. This is far from the truth as schools are forced to write these tests. The writing of common tests is costly to the department and remains unjustifiable, especially during this time when the department is struggling financially,” she added.

Sadtu will meet with the DOE at the end of the month to discuss standardised tests.

“We have ended the work-to-rule action to allow the processing of payments and writing of examinations. This is a major victory for schools and for members who braved freezing conditions in the picket lines to fight for a just cause,” she said.

Natu’s secretary general, Doctor Ngema, said they were pleased that Ntuli was addressing compensation for Grade R teachers, which would be reviewed.

“We are also pleased that payments to National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) service providers will be expedited to ensure uninterrupted food deliveries to schools.

“Hlomuka will engage further with Natu leadership on critical issues, including teacher recruitment and human resources processes. We acknowledge the premier’s transparency regarding the province’s constrained budget and commends his political will to address these challenges. The struggle continues, but we are encouraged by these steps forward,” Ngema added.

THE POST