Young Grade R ECD educators protesting outside the Department of Basic Education (DBE), on Wednesday, have decried the unethical phasing out of their qualifications without proper warning.
They are demanding improved compensation and recognition of their Grade R diplomas.
In 2015, DBE announced the phasing out of the Grade R Teaching Diploma, forcing thousands of teachers to upgrade to a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching.
However, many ECD educators say they cannot afford to upgrade due to their low salaries and the department’s failure to deliver on promised bursaries.
The educators say they earn between R7 000 and R10 000 each month.
The South African Early Childhood Development Teachers Union joined demonstrators.
The union has argued that it’s the department’s responsibility to up-skill these educators, rather than discarding them.
Education activist, BJ Langa, called for an end to the dehumanisation and poverty faced by ECD teachers due to poor compensation, slamming the treatment of Grade R ECD educators as “unethical”.
Langa highlighted the teachers’ frustrations over pay, medical aid, and inadequate pensions, which have left them stressed, overwhelmed, and affecting the young minds they teach.
He emphasised the injustice of Grade R teachers, with over 16 years of service, still earning a stipend.
Some retired teachers also joined the protest, demanding better pay for their successors and an end to what they say are barbaric pension schemes that have left many with nothing.
A 67-year-old retired Grade R teacher, Gloria Mdanyana, shared her story of struggle.
After over 20 years of service, Mdanyana says she still lives in a shack, and is barely making ends meet.
She’s bemoaned the department’s decision to cover just two years of her pension and has called for dignity for teachers.
Usbongile Grace, a 35-year-old educator, demanded that the Department of Basic Education absorbs and upskill her, rather than forcing her to obtain new and expensive qualifications.
She admitted that her frustrations have sometimes affected her teaching abilities.
The teachers have issued a memorandum of demands, calling for permanent employment, an end to poor pay, and urgent intervention from Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
YNews awaits a response from the Department of Basic Education. Written by Naomi Kobbie
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