Director’s Blog

November 19, 2010

 After the exhilaration and excitement of the World Cup we found ourselves in the grip of a teachers’ strike which, in places like Soweto, impacted on schools for four weeks. We issued a press release two weeks into the strike recognising people’s right to strike, but strongly condemned the violence and intimidation which characterised the strike.

A prolonged public service strike was in no one’s interest. The cost to the public sector, including reputational cost, has been immense. Many sick people were denied access to public hospitals and many children were unable to go to school. Matriculants have lost an inordinate amount of time (including World Cup time) and this will certainly impact on achievement this year.

We have received many reports from Catholic schools around the country about intimidation by some union members. One of our regional managers reportedly saw a school principal and a group of teachers run and hide in the bushes when he approached the school during the strike in a new car, which they did not recognise.

Another principal spoke of how she had to control a mob at her school. Reports like these are unacceptable in 2010. What is happening to our democracy and democratic values? The stories that surfaced during this strike have highlighted unacceptably violent police action, but they have also highlighted the callousness of some strikers.

As professionals, teachers don’t earn a lot of money, and I certainly know it’s difficult to make ends meet on a teacher’s salary. The general public needs to know this too, but our cause does not gain the sympathy it deserves through prolonged strike action. Yes, unions wanted to make a point to employers, but were there not alternative means that could have been used?

On the back of what has been a very troubled time, I would like to take this opportunity to wish our matric students well for their final examinations. We hope that your hard work will pay great dividends!

Mark Potterton