How do we know our kids are safe when school staff go on strike?

We trust our schools with the safety of our children every day – but what about when teachers go on strike? Surely there should be a law that ensures that at least the essential staff are in place so that our children are supervised and their safety is never put at risk? In addition to writing an open letter to the president, we asked the Essential Services Committee (ESC) to investigate (they have the power to limit strike action).

Our non-negotiables for our children:

  • School leaders must be on hand to provide leadership during strike situations and to communicate with necessary authorities during emergency situations;
  • Learners must be supervised during the school day; and
  • The nutrition and health needs of learners must not be compromised.

Our full submission can be found here.

 

Sign our open letter to the president

Visit protectourchildren.co.za to co-sign our letter to President Ramaphosa requesting that the national ministers of Basic Education, Police, Social Development and Justice take action, step up, and protect our children.

 

 

Make your voice heard

Attend a hearing by the Essential Services Committee (ESC) and support our call to make sure our children are supervised at school during strikes.

 Whether you’re a parent, a teacher or a member of a school community, please contribute to this process so that we can ensure our children are protected.

 

To attend a hearing by the committee:

  1. Send the committee a letter by 6 July – either over email (BeverlyR@CCMA.org.za) or fax (086 660 6132). Include the following:
  • Say why you’re interested in the investigation;
  • Let the ESC know if you would like to say something at one of the five public hearings (see below);
  • State what facts you are presenting as a submission;
  • If you want to call an expert to appear at a hearing, you should add an affidavit from that expert on what they would speak about;
  • Mention the legal issues relied by your submission – have a look at our submission for references to the Constitution and the Children’s Act ;
  • If you want to refer to any documents in your submission, you must attach them to it; and
  • Give your full contact details (physical and postal address, email address, telephone numbers).

 

2. Once you have written to the Committee, attend one of the hearing meetings below:

  • 11 July in Port Elizabeth: 10h30 at the CCMA Offices, 97 Govan Mbeki Avenue
  • 13 July in Durban: 10h30 at CCMA Officers, 6th & 7th floor, Embassy House, 275 Anton Lembede  Street
  • 16 July in Cape Town: 10h30 at CCMA Offices, 78 Darling Street
  • 17 July in Bloemfontein: 10h30 at CCMA Offices, Corner Elizabeth & West Burger streets
  • 20 July in Johannesburg: 10h30 at CCMA Offices, 8th floor, 28 Harrison Street

 

Questions?

Contact Beverly Ramoncha at the Essential Services Committee (BeverlyR@CCMA.org.za).