The DA welcomes the announcement by the Essential Services Committee (ESC) that it will soon accept submissions from members of the public with regards to key school staff being declared an essential service (see announcement here).
Earlier this year, we submitted an application to the ESC calling for a minimum service level to be declared for school staff and we are pleased that the ESC has given our submission serious consideration.
It is essential that -regardless of any political or civil unrest- learners are prioritized. They need to be safe at school and being educated.
The first place to address the challenges of lack of economic opportunity and access to jobs is to fix our dysfunctional education system. With an economy that is ailing, we need to ensure that schools produce learners who are job market-ready.
Learners across South Africa are affected by strikes which occur yearly and the absence of school staff during strikes or trade union meetings compromises their safety and security. The DA therefore raised three important concerns to the ESC in requesting a minimum service level declaration:
- Supervision: The sharp increase in violence and crime at schools requires constant adult supervision at schools so that children can be safe from harm. Two Eldorado Park Secondary learners stabbed each other earlier this year while teachers were on strike and this shows the importance of always having staff members to watch over children. Adult supervision will also ensure that learners who walk home are safe.
- Leadership and safety: School leaders have a role to play in communicating with emergency services or other authorities and making alternative arrangements where necessary. During trade union meetings or strikes, they must be available to ensure safety.
- Nutrition, health and hygiene: Staff must always be present to provide food and clean school premises. Some learners have specific health requirements, special needs and suffer from chronic illnesses. It is therefore imperative that staff members are always available to care for these learners and respond to medical emergencies.
It is the duty of staff members to protect and care for children during school hours, when they are away from their parents and guardians. Establishing a minimum service level will ensure that the school staff members entrusted with this critical duty always carry it out.
School safety is an issue which the DA believes demands greater attention from the government. In our letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, we listed the establishment of a minimum service level for school staff as one of our demands for safer schools.
The ESC will hear oral representations as follows:
Port Elizabeth
Date: 11 July
Venue: CCMA Offices, 97 Govan Mbeki Avenue
Time: 10.30am
Durban
Date: 13 July
Venue: CCMA Offices, 275 Anton Lembede Street, 6th & 7th Floor, Embassy House
Time: 10.30am
Cape Town
Date: 16 July
Venue: CCMA Offices, 78 Darling Street
Time: 10.30am
Bloemfontein
Date: 17 July
Venue: CCMA Offices, Corner Elizabeth & West Burger Streets
Time: 10.30am
Johannesburg
Date: 20 July
Venue: CCMA Offices, 28 Harrison Street, 8th floor
Time: 10.30am
The DA encourages all interested parties to submit comments regarding the establishment of a minimum service level for key school staff. Having these key posts declared essential services will guarantee learners a safe environment, which will help them secure bright futures and maximise their chances of getting jobs after school.