OPINION - As early as 2005, the issue of chronic teacher absenteeism, identified by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Basic Education, was having a serious effect on schools.
And it is still cited as a major factor behind the poor academic performance in many schools.
There could be many teachers who have valid reasons for being on leave.
Sadly, there are some who are abusing the system.
This places additional pressure on those teachers with genuine health issues.
There is no doubt that the stress levels in our schools are on the rise, and teachers are adversely affected by them.
Are they supposed to be able to manage this without allowing it to adversely affect their health?
Like all professionals, teachers are duty bound to make ethical choices and to be governed by their consciences.
Staying away for prolonged periods has a detrimental effect on the pupils, as well the efficient and effective functioning of the school.
In schools with limited financial resources, an additional burden of finding an SGB (School Governing Body) teacher further erodes their finances.
Previous reports indicate that between 10% and 12% of teachers are daily not in school.
It could very well be higher now. Most of these cases are on sick leave for one or two days, which does not require any medical certificate.
With the absence of teachers, pupils are sometimes left on their own or sent home.
Most schools don’t have the privilege of additional teachers.
In some cases, teachers on duty have to serve relief, despite having their own loads to carry.
This places an extra burden on colleagues, who have to look after the class or accommodate the pupils. Parents are often used to serve relief.
The department will not send a replacement teacher unless it receives a leave application for 30 consecutive days or more.
So what happens during this time? Schools, in the interim, have to make their own arrangements.
Pupils lose out as the teacher they are used to is away, especially when no work has been left for them to do.
In some cases, it takes weeks before a replacement teacher is found.
This has a negative impact on the culture of teaching and learning. Often the syllabus is not completed, adding to the stress of pupils and school management.
And this compromises the curriculum. Pupils who are without a teacher tend to also absent themselves.
How often have we heard teachers bemoan the fact that pupils are performing poorly due to high absenteeism?
While this is true, teachers must also be cognisant that their absenteeism, especially chronic absenteeism, will hamper pupils’ performance.
An HSRC (Human Sciences Research Council) report revealed that the average teacher is away from school between 20 to 24 days annually, varying with the quintiles.
Also that teacher’s leave for sickness occurred particularly on Mondays and Fridays.
Unfortunately, there will always be some people who play the system and connive with dishonest doctors to book them off when they are not genuinely sick.
Teacher absenteeism is not only due to sickness, as about 30% of leave is due to union meetings, moderating, cluster meetings and workshops, etc.
These meetings should ideally be scheduled outside school hours, but this is seldom the case.
Many teachers are reluctant to attend meetings outside school hours, resulting in these being scheduled during school time.
We are aware of teachers who cite ill health for their absence, yet manage businesses or are engaged in other pursuits. This is corruption and should be weeded out completely.
The department has issued a circular to all employees to inform them that those running businesses must disclose this to avoid a conflict of interest, and to ensure all employees and teachers are at their work stations all the time.
The department is experiencing financial challenges, which are further exacerbated by teachers who are on leave without a valid, compelling reason.
Those teachers who are genuinely unable to perform their job should be able to have their case reviewed by the department’s medical team, as well as psychological team - whichever is necessary.
The Department of Education is one of the few employers who have this problem, and it’s time teachers who pretend to be unfit for duty realise that there are many other teachers who would be grateful to have their post.
It’s time we have a moral regeneration and for teachers to act with a sense of conscience and purpose.
Fortunately, there are many diligent, committed teachers in the employ of the department who should serve as role models worthy of emulation instead of being frustrated by irresponsible colleagues.
It would alarm you that some teachers are away from schools for months and years on end.
I know the department is busy addressing this issue, as these people are getting paid but are not at school - at the expense of the taxpayer.
Disadvantaged, recently qualified and temporary teachers then cannot be permanently employed because of the budgetary constraints in the province.
We support the department’s efforts to clamp down on those teachers who are on long leave, for their own benefit.
The department has a leave policy that should be strictly adhered to.
Teachers are aware of this document and what their rights and responsibilities are, with regards to leave.
Those who blatantly flout this, or abuse leave for their own ends, should face disciplinary action.
There are a number of alternative courses of action that the department can explore when absenteeism is due to genuine ill health or injury, and it can look at ways of adapting work circumstances to accommodate or investigate the possibility of securing alternative employment for the teacher.
It must be known that teachers and principals who are frequently absent from classes, for whatever reason, jeopardise the education of their pupils.
One must be cognisant that curriculum coverage through productive teaching time is the ultimate goal. Inadequate curriculum coverage and low teaching time are most problematic in the poorest 60% of schools. Fundamental to the quality of schooling in South Africa are our teachers.
Therefore, if they are not at school, curriculum coverage will be low.
Education is impacted.