Durban - The professional body for teachers has been blasted by the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) for not finding any evidence of the jobs-for-cash allegations which have rocked the basic education sector.
The union’s president, Basil Manuel, told teachers at Naptosa’s KwaZulu-Natal conference at the weekend that according to the South African Council of Educators (Sace), the sale-of-posts saga was a figment of their imagination.
“According to Sace no evidence can be found that anyone is in a post without deserving it. Sace has discovered that we have a wonderfully honest system free from bribery, corruption or nepotism,” Manuel said sarcastically.
“Why have they not asked the Naptosa members of KZN about inappropriate, underqualified and inexperienced promotions? This has brought shame on Sace.”
Manuel said he hoped a second investigation of the jobs for cash allegations, by the ministerial committee appointed by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, would produce “a more credible” finding.
Both probes were prompted by revelations by City Press that members of the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) were demanding cash, sex and livestock in exchange for posts as teachers and senior administrators.
The ministerial committee investigation is being headed by educationist John Volmink.
“We look forward to a more realistic, balanced report from Volmink and his team. But there is a reality: there is no paper trail. Where have you seen a person wanting a bribe giving receipts for that bribe?”
The South African Council of Educators’ chief executive, Rej Brijraj, in defending the council, said it had never claimed that the teaching profession was squeaky clean.
“Our investigation, to date, has not given us concrete evidence to prosecute cases against teachers. That does not mean there are no teachers involved. We are still inviting the public, and Basil Manuel, to come forward, and I would challenge any such complainant to follow up to ensure that cases are not suppressed.
“Behind these innuendos we detect the implication that Sace suppresses cases. We categorically deny this.”
Asked if the council’s investigation of the claims had been closed, Brijraj said it could not go any further, but that if new information came to light, it would be probed.
“It is disappointing to hear senior leaders (Manuel) imply that Sace is not acting with integrity.”
Last month, Sadtu issued a national statement accusing City Press of trying to demonise the union with an article in which it was claimed that Sadtu demanded that the Sace investigation be halted.
Why appointing experts matters:
The Naptosa provincial conference was also addressed by Professor Volker Wedekind, of the University of the Witwatersrand, who emphasised how vital it was to have people with the right expertise in senior managerial positions at the district level in provincial education departments.
When district offices worked and provided the needed support, schools worked - and this was ‘absolutely key’ to improvement. Wedekind said those posts had been allowed to be taken up on criteria other than expertise.
Why appointing experts matters
The Naptosa provincial conference was also addressed by Professor Volker Wedekind, of the University of the Witwatersrand, who emphasised how vital it was to have people with the right expertise in senior managerial positions at the district level in provincial education departments.
When district offices worked and provided the needed support, schools worked - and this was ‘absolutely key’ to improvement. Wedekind said those posts had been allowed to be taken up on criteria other than expertise.
The Mercury