Question NW3208 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
08 September 2015 - NW3208
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
In the five months since his reply to question 734 on 24 March 2015, (a) is the specified TVET college stable, (b) are all classes taking place regularly under the supervision of fully qualified staff, (c) what has happened to the (i) staff who took part in the unprotected strike and (ii) students who supported them and (d) have the activities and threats to render the specified TVET college ungovernable subsided?
Reply:
(a) Whilst the Eastcape Midlands Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (EMC) has been operating in a stable and violence-free environment since 9 March 2015, the unprotected strike continued due to delays in the disciplinary processes initiated by EMC against a number of employees.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) National Office Bearers, Department of Higher Education and Training and EMC Council signed a settlement agreement intended to restore and improve working relations between the parties on 7 August 2015. The strike was agreed to be called off with effect from 4 September 2015.
(b) Regular classes have been conducted by appropriately qualified EMC employed lecturers and others engaged on short-term contracts via a temporary employment agency to replace striking or dismissed lecturers. The College participated in the interviews of the temporary lecturers to confirm that they were qualified as per the curriculum prescripts for the various programmes.
(c) (i) All employees, including dismissed employees who took part in the unprotected strike have been mandated to agree in writing on the settlement terms finalised on 7 August 2015 as a prerequisite to returning to work on 7 September 2015. The settlement agreement requires all employees who embarked in the unprotected strike to forfeit a month’s salary, repay any payments made to them while they were part of the unprotected strike, and accept a twelve month final written warning not to engage in any misconduct activities.
(ii) Students who participated in the strike action for a prolonged period of time have failed to meet the 80% attendance policy requirements for entry into trimester/semester final examinations. Therefore, they have been advised to deregister or return to the college in the following trimester/semester or the following year, depending on the programme for which they had registered.
(d) Not only have the activities and threats to render the specified TVET college ungovernable, subsided but it has completely stopped.
Compiler/Contact persons:
Ext:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
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REPLY TO QUESTION 3208 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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