DURBAN - As World Teachers’ Day was observed today, the South African Democratic Teacher’s Union (Sadtu) said education was crucial if the country’s economy was to recover.
In a statement, Sadtu said South Africa needed educated workers, and that teachers were crucial in producing an educated and skilled workforce.
The union also said that the country needed more teachers, more resources, more training and better working conditions.
“Quality education for all is the only sustainable way of recovery where the teachers are at the centre. We therefore demand that education be classified as an emergency in order to release the required financial relief required for an inclusive and sustainable recovery.”
The union said this year’s theme for World Teachers’ Day was “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”, and this placed a heavy load on educators’ shoulders as some were still grappling with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Sadtu takes off its hat to teachers for the role they have played in ensuring that education continues in these trying times. They have had to adapt to new ways of teaching using online platforms to reach their pupils; they have had to be counsellors to their pupils who have lost their parents and teachers; they have had to be safety officers to ensure their schools comply with the health and safety guidelines in order to save their lives, as well as those of pupils.
“They have had to sacrifice their precious time with families teaching during weekends and holidays to make up for lost time. They are indeed at the heart of education recovery,” said the union.
THE MERCURY