Speaker, at the media briefing yesterday, Cosatu, and SA Democratic Teachers Union, Sadtu, indicated that they had asked pupils in Grades 10 to 12 to take a day off on Wednesday, tomorrow, to join them in their planned illegal march to Parliament and to other locations across the country.
Cosatu Western Cape provincial secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, said:
We feel everyone must make a sacrifice of one day to highlight the inadequacy of their schools.
This is a flagrant attack on the constitutional rights of our learners. Sadtu is out of control. Its members have lost touch with the needs of the learners they serve.
Calls such as this, by Sadtu, serve to perpetuate the legacy of Bantu education. Opportunities for young people continue to be curtailed. We cannot hope to redress the injustices of apartheid if our learners are not receiving the teaching time they need to succeed at school.
The DA will ask the Human Rights Commission to investigate the actions of both Cosatu and Sadtu. Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshega, must, without delay, apply for an urgent court interdict to prevent Sadtu engaging in the illegal work-to-rule campaign and tomorrow's illegal protest. Education is an Apex Priority; it must be treated as such by every role player. [Applause].