Minister Pandor surprised by SADTU's rejection of the occupation-specific dispensation for teachers
22 October 2007
SADTU's rejection of the occupation-specific dispensation comes as a surprise and a disappointment to the Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor MP.
Speaking from Paris where she is attending the 34th general conference of UNESCO, she said today, "The rejection of the occupation-specific dispensation is surprising especially given our intention to improve the remuneration levels of teachers. It is a disappointment and a setback for the education sector. There is nothing vague in government's undertaking to improve the salaries of teachers."
SADTU has promised a counter-proposal. The Minister eagerly awaits the document, but points out that it would be impossible to accept the 4.5% general increase across the board that SADTU demands.
The occupation-specific dispensation is a revised salary structure that is unique to each identified occupation in the public service. Currently, employees in the public service are all part of the same salary structure.
The new salary dispensation is part of government's strategy to improve our ability to attract and retain skilled employees.
The revised salary structures will result in teachers receiving substantially higher salary increases. It will also put in place proper career pathing for teachers, recognise seniority, and reward performance.
The occupation-specific dispensation recognises that there was little or no salary progression for teachers in the period 1996 to 2003 and compensates for this in the new salary structures proposed for implementation on 1 January 2008. Two in ten teachers will receive increases of 10% more than before. Five in ten educators will receive increases of between 3% and 10%.
The Minister has agreed to SADTU's request for an urgent meeting, and remains hopeful that the SADTU NEC's rejection of the Department of Education's proposal will not delay the dispensation's planned implementation date of 1 January 2008.
Issued by the Ministry of Education
Lunga Ngqengelele
Ministerial Spokesperson
012 312 5538
082 566 0446
ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za