SA teacher unions stand firm against learner assessments

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), the Professional Educators Union (PEU) and the National Teachers Union (Natu) said by reneging on an agreement with unions to postpone ANAs, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga had shown that she did not have the interests of pupils at heart.

“We reject these latest attempts by the minister, despite an agreement that she had reached with unions. We are shocked that the department has decided to walk away from the agreement,” Sadtu secretary Mugwena Maluleke told reporters at a joint media briefing on the sidelines of the Congress of SA Trade Unions’ (Cosatu) elective congress in Johannesburg.

“The department is destabilising the education sector, it is clear that ANAs for 2015 have been compromised as it has no credibility. We are left with no other decision but to revert to our initial decision to not administer ANAs.”

The unions want the tests remodeled before they are written.

Two months ago Motshekga announced the postponement of the ANAs to February next year after the teacher unions threatened to boycott invigilation of the tests, which were originally set down for this month.

A mediation process between the parties was started, at which an agreement was reached to resolve teachers’ concerns and postpone ANAs, the unions said.

Naptosa deputy president Anthea Cereseto said Motshekga did an about-turn on an agreement with unions and announced that the assessment would go ahead as planned between 26 November and 4 December this year.

“I was on my way to Pretoria to sign that agreement proposing the postponement and remodeling of ANAs when I received a call to return back to Johannesburg because the minister has reneged on the agreement. We are disappointed that a legitimate process of mediation was terminated in that way…there was an agreement to be signed which the minister dropped at the last minute,” she said.

Natu deputy president Allen Thompson said there was a culture of ignoring bargaining agreements in the country, which undermined decisions.

“We agreed with the minister that ANAs are going to be written in 2016, after the assessments had been remodeled, but then she proceeds and goes ahead, sending circulars to teachers which basically insulted the mediation process. We call on all 400,000 teachers that we are here to represent your interests, no one will administer ANAs.”

The unions added that teachers had no time for assessments at this time of year as they were busy with final examinations and learner progression.