Education

6.         (1)      

(a)       There were teachers who did not receive a salary in time, but in order to manage this, two supplementary payment runs at the start of August resulted in the payment of employees who did not receive a salary at the end of July. Only contract, foreigner and those employees being converted to permanent appointments were affected, not those already permanently employed. According to internal statistics 103 employees were affected but were paid in the first run in August 2020.

(b)       Delays in payment are due to a variety of reasons, including but not limited to late submission and approval of contracts by managers, and outstanding documents. In the majority of cases where teachers did not receive a salary in time, the nominations were not received at the required time. 

(2)     (a) Teacher Assistants have been employed by the Department. As at 1 September 2020, 674 Teacher Assistant applications were finalised for Payment.

(b)       Below the breakdown per District:

 A list of the schools where the Teacher Assistants are posted is attached.

(c) The provision of Teacher Assistants is a temporary measure applied as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is not budgeted for in the current basket of posts for teachers or support staff, and was only possible as a result of National Treasury guidance to shift funds to manage the impact of Covid-19. Given the current pressure on the budget, the Department does not have funds to continue the programme indefinitely.   There are accordingly no plans to retain them in the system, as it is unaffordable.