Brian Isaacs
I have called more than once for an independent inquiry into the conduct of the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) Labour Relations Department (LR). Teachers around South Africa have had similar issues with the other provincial Labour Relations departments. I will be making a formal application to the Office of the Premier for an independent inquiry into the modus operandi of its education LR.
Many teachers have been shabbily treated by the WCED when it comes to being charged, particularly when it comes to disciplining students. One reads every day about the rudeness, ill-discipline and unruly behaviour of many students.
The WCED is the only department that places a monetary fine on its employees if they are found guilty of misconduct. I have often wondered if this is legal. I have also wondered where all this money goes. Whether it is used to rehabilitate students who have misbehaved.
In the WCED there is no sifting process between not so serious and serious cases of what the WCED calls “assault”. Anything from a touch on the shoulder or a finger placed to a male student’s chest to a vicious attack on a student is considered assault, and all cases will be treated similarly and the fine will be similar – monetary, suspension or dismissal.
Teachers are no longer allowed to use an acceptable English word like scum when disciplining, for example, a student who urinated into a bottle and spurted his urine over the girls’ dresses.
There is no mediation by WCED officials with parents, students and teachers. Parents complain and the teacher is charged. There is no sifting process when it comes to cases of discipline. Teachers are hauled to a disciplinary hearing. If teachers do not know their rights, they are treated with disrespect by officials of the department. I once represented a principal.
Together we have about 50 years of principalship service. I was told by an official that he is a high court advocate and I as the union representative had observer status only. Complaining to the WCED about the attitude of officials who have not been in classrooms is a waste of time because they will always find their official not guilty. They will receive postponement at anytime, but teachers have to fight for postponements. They will keep you at their offices for days, especially if you have appointed a lawyer, so that you will feel the financial crunch.
Teachers have in many cases refused to discipline students at schools. I blame the WCED for this situation. As long as they continue to act against teachers and not students, the crisis of ill-discipline will increase.
Only one WCED official deals with the expulsion of students, whereas 18 officials deal with the disciplining of teachers. Should this not be the other way round?
The WCED has the power to act against teachers who speak truth to power, but one thing I am always certain about is that justice will prevail eventually, not perhaps in my lifetime, but it will prevail and those perpetrators of injustice will be brought to book.
I make a public call to all teachers to support the campaign for an independent inquiry into the way in which the anti-teacher labour relations of the different provincial departments and especially the one in the Cape operate.
l Isaacs is the principal of South Peninsula High School