Schools are to start a phased reopening from June 1, but Covid-19 protocols must be in place. And teachers will also have to deal with learners’ and parents’ uncertainty created by the pandemic.
Teachers must be on time, thoroughly prepared and professional, the South African Democratic Teachers' Union said on Sunday.
"To restate our commitment [to] the quality learning and teaching campaign … teachers must be on time, on task, thoroughly prepared and behave professionally, in accordance with our code of conduct, at all times," Sadtu said in a statement after its national general council meeting in Kempton Park at the weekend.
"The union unequivocally condemns the minority of teachers whose bad behaviour – particularly sexual abuse of learners – brings the profession into disrepute," it said.
"We declare our commitment to improving quality public education by defending the education budget, and call upon government to levy multi-national corporations to invest in public education without imposing [their] capitalist values."
Sadtu said investment in education would help develop infrastructure to provide quality learning and teaching.
It said all substantive vacant posts occupied by temporary teachers had to be made permanent before the end of the 2012 to ensure there were no disruptions at the beginning of the school year.
The union also called on the government to prioritise further education and training, adult basic education training, and early childdDevelopment to foster the skills needed to build the nation.
It called for the life orientation curriculum to emphasise issues of risky sexual behaviour.
Sadtu also called for a moratorium on the closure of schools. – Sapa.