Industrial Action - Minimal Disruption Bodes Well for Education

Only 316 teachers of a staff complement of more then 30,000; and three administrative personnel members of a staff complement of more then 8,000 of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) today participated in Cosatu's industrial action.

This demonstrates the commitment of the overwhelming majority of our teachers and civil service personnel to the needs of our children, says Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore in reaction to reports today that learning and teaching continued uninterrupted at most schools in the province.

In certain areas, learners' attendance were affected due to the non-availability of public transport.

In the Metropole East Education District, comprising such areas as Khayelitsha, Blue Downs and Kuilsriver, some security guards had a meeting and threatened some of the educators at schools in the area as well as a security guard on duty at one of the schools.

"However, it is clear that classes continued uninterrupted at most schools. At this stage, it appears that there was only a minimal amount of personnel on strike. No EMDCs have reported that any schools are close due to the strike.

"The most critical national challenge that all of us face, is the provisioning of appropriate skills for our youth, for them to develop their full potential, lead fulfilling lives, help build successful communities and participate meaningfully in the economy of the country.

"The minimal disruption of classes bodes well for the implementation of our Human Capital Development Strategy, which exactly addresses the concerns the strike was intended to highlight."

For enquiries:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2523
Fax: 021 425 5689
Email: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za