The South African Democratic Teachers Union in the Free State and the Congress of South African Students held a successful bilateral meeting on the 23rd June 2020 in Bloemfontein. The meeting took place during the increase of coronavirus that has recently engulfed our education sector resulting in many schools being forced to close on daily basis.

The union notes with disappointment the release of LTA 11 (NSNP) 2020 sent to schools on 19 June 2020 for implementation on Monday, 22 June 2020. We further note media announcement by Free State Provincial Education Department on provision of NSNP for all learners. Through this media announcement, community is informed that learners who are not yet at school and who normally receive NSNP meals may go to their respective schools to fetch their meals from Monday, 22 June 2020. This refers to learners in all Grades other than 12 & 7.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) joins the country in commemorating the youth of 1976 who, on this day, rose up against all odds to defy the apartheid education system and thus paved the way for the democracy and freedom we so enjoy today. As SADTU, we pay homage to the youth of 76 for understanding the power of education in liberating the people from mental slavery and ignorance and their understanding of the role of quality education as an enabler to the young and old.

SADTU in Free State held its Special Provincial Executive Committee meeting today, the 31^st May 2020 to reflect on the state of readiness by the Provincial Department of Education thus far. The PEC reflected on the progress made since the Union first issued communiqué to members not to report for work on the 11^th May 2020 (SMTs) and teachers on 18 May 2020 as per the directive of the department. Since then, a communication forum for engagement between department and unions was created and meets on weekly basis.

SADTU Limpopo Province issued a media statement on the 23rd May 2020 wherein we expressed our misgivings about the intention of the Limpopo Department of Education to recall educators back to work in preparation for the schools re-opening on the 01st June 2020. The union then advised the educators not to return to work as the department had not yet put in place the health safety precautionary measures before workers could return to work.

SADTU in Mpumalanga has noted Circular 22 of 2020 from the Mpumalanga Education Department on confirmation or resumption of duties by teachers and support staff.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented event and has caused death and destruction throughout the world, as a result human solidarity in acting together has become critical. It is for this reason that the Unions in the Province of KZN have agreed to stand together and act jointly.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the Eastern Cape wishes to accept and appreciate the engagement between the employer and the stakeholder on 23 May 2020. This statement is informed by the promise we made in the circulated PWC decisions on 22/05/2020 that we will engage and advise in relation to Instruction 17 Issued by Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE).

SADTU Limpopo Province has noted with concern the announcement made on the 18th of May 2020 by the Minister of Basic Education, The Honourable Angie Motshekga about the phased re-opening of schools starting with Grade 7 and 12 on the 01st June 2020. Subsequent to that, the Limpopo Department of Education issued a circular instructing SMTs of schools to report back to work on the 25th May 2020 and educators to report on the 26th May 2020.