By Johnathan Paoli

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the North West has warned that it could mobilise its members for collective action if ongoing engagements with the provincial education department fail to resolve a range of longstanding labour and education challenges affecting schools and employees.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the union cautioned that it would not hesitate to escalate the matter should negotiations fail to produce meaningful progress.

“Should these engagements fail to produce satisfactory outcomes, the union reserves the right to mobilise its members and pursue all possible avenues and collective actions necessary to defend the interests of educators and learners,” the union said.

In its first meeting since the recent provincial conference, the union’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) expressed serious concern over persistent challenges facing educators, education support staff, and the broader schooling sector, saying many issues have remained unresolved despite previous engagements with the department.

Among the union’s concerns are delays in the processing and payment of pension benefits for qualifying employees, the continued non-payment of acting allowances, deteriorating infrastructure at departmental offices and educational institutions, and the failure to fill critical vacancies for school support staff.

The union highlighted delays in converting temporary educators into permanent employees, which it described as the incorrect implementation of Collective Agreement 4 of 2016, challenges arising from post-provisioning norms, and broader labour relations and human resource problems that continue to undermine service delivery and staff morale.

According to SADTU, these issues have persisted for too long and require urgent intervention from the provincial education authorities.

“The PEC also undertook a comprehensive assessment of the state of education in the province and expressed serious concern over several persistent challenges confronting employees and the broader education sector,” the statement said.

The union said it was particularly disappointed by what it described as the slow pace at which the Department of Education has been responding to these matters.

“The PEC noted with concern the slow pace at which the Department of Education is responding to and resolving these longstanding matters. While engagements have taken place on some of these issues, progress remains unsatisfactory and continues to disadvantage workers and undermine the effective functioning of schools and offices.”

SADTU said the continued delays have had a direct impact on employees while also affecting the quality of education delivery across the province.

In response, the PEC resolved to intensify its efforts to ensure that the department addresses the outstanding issues through established labour and bargaining mechanisms.

“SADTU will utilise all available and relevant engagement platforms, including bilateral meetings, collective bargaining structures, and other established forums, to push for concrete interventions and lasting solutions,” the union said.

While the union emphasised that it remains committed to maintaining constructive relations with the employer, it stressed that dialogue must produce measurable outcomes for workers.

The PEC called for unity within the organisation following the Provincial Conference, urging all structures and members to remain actively involved in implementing the conference’s resolutions.

The resolutions adopted at the provincial conference are expected to guide the work of SADTU North West in the coming term, with the union indicating that addressing workplace grievances and improving conditions in schools will remain among its highest priorities as it continues engagements with the department.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The post SADTU North West warns of possible mobilisation over unresolved education challenges appeared first on Inside Education..

By Charmaine Ndlela

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed that public schools can now resume printing and issuing learner report cards after the South African School Administration and Management System (SA-SAMS) was fully restored following a technical outage.

The disruption, caused by the temporary unavailability of the Citrix environment that supports SA-SAMS, prevented some schools from accessing learner administration records and delayed the issuing of report cards at the end of the second school term.

ALSO READ: Gwarube pushes school hygiene overhaul beyond pit toilet eradication

The restoration follows concerns raised by parents and schools after the system failure left some learners unable to receive their academic results before the school holidays.

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, welcomed the restoration of the system and thanked school communities for their patience during the disruption.

“On behalf of the Gauteng Department of Education, we wish to thank our school communities for their patience during this technical challenge. The restoration of SA-SAMS means schools can now continue with the important administrative work of finalising and issuing report cards without further interruption,” Maile said.

The department said schools have already been informed that they can resume report card processing, with principals and administrative staff working to clear the backlog and ensure learners receive their academic records as soon as possible.

GDE reiterated that SA-SAMS is a national system managed by the Department of Basic Education and that provincial education departments depend on its stability to carry out critical learner administration functions.

ALSO READ: 50 years after Soweto Uprising, EWSETA focuses on preparing youth for jobs of the future

The department added that the restoration of the Citrix environment has enabled schools to regain full access to the system and continue normal administrative operations.

Schools experiencing any further technical difficulties have been advised to contact the GDE Service Desk for immediate assistance.

The restoration comes on the final day of the second school term, with public schools closing on Friday, 26 June 2026, for the winter holidays. Learners are expected to return for the start of the third term on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The post Gauteng schools resume issuing report cards after SA-SAMS restored appeared first on Inside Education..

By Charmaine Ndlela

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has launched new national guidelines aimed at keeping school toilets safe, clean and dignified, shifting the focus from the eradication of pit toilets to the daily maintenance of water, sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health services in schools.

The National Guidelines for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WINS), launched at Welizibuko Primary School on Thursday, are intended to give schools practical, step-by-step guidance on strengthening sanitation and hygiene services while promoting accountability and sustainability across the basic education sector.

Speaking at the launch, Gwarube said poor sanitation continued to affect learners’ health, attendance and academic performance, with girls particularly affected during menstruation.

“Access to safe sanitation is fundamentally a matter of dignity, safety and educational success,” she said.

The guidelines are expected to help schools improve the responsible use and maintenance of facilities, strengthen hygiene practices and support menstrual health management as part of broader efforts to create safer and healthier learning environments.

Gwarube said the department had made significant progress through the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) Initiative, with 99.9% of identified pit toilets eradicated. The programme has benefited more than three million learners and over 50,000 teachers by providing safer and more dignified sanitation facilities.

However, she cautioned that removing pit toilets was not the end of the work.

“Eliminating pit toilets is not the end of the journey, but maintaining school infrastructure, promoting responsible use of facilities and strengthening hygiene practices are critical to ensuring that schools remain safe, healthy and conducive to learning,” she said.

The Minister called on schools, provincial education departments, communities and learners to work together to protect and maintain sanitation infrastructure, saying the success of the WINS programme would depend on long-term behavioural change and the promotion of a culture of hygiene in schools.

The guidelines draw on lessons from the implementation of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Three-Star Approach in schools across Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.

According to the department, the WINS Guidelines are expected to strengthen service delivery in schools while helping create healthier learning environments that support learner development and academic achievement.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The post Gwarube pushes school hygiene overhaul beyond pit toilet eradication appeared first on Inside Education..

By Thapelo Molefe

As South Africa marks 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising, the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) says the challenge facing the country today is ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.

This was one of the key messages during a Youth Month webinar hosted by EWSETA in partnership with Inside Education on Thursday, where government, industry and youth development leaders reflected on the legacy of the youth of 1976 and the opportunities available to the youth of 2026.

Opening the discussion, EWSETA Board Chairperson Morwesi Ramonyai said Youth Month should also be used to reflect on whether South Africa is creating enough opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in the economy.

“Are we creating enough opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully and gainfully in our economy and society?” she asked.

Ramonyai said the energy and water sectors remain central to economic development, infrastructure expansion and national resilience.

“The sectors are critical for our own economic growth, for Africa’s growth, for infrastructure development, for energy security, for water resilience. It’s really at the centre of that engine that keeps this economy going,” she said.

EWSETA Acting Chief Executive Officer Robyn Vilakazi said the sector is undergoing major structural change driven by the energy transition, water security challenges and rapid technological advancement.

“We’ve got the energy transition in the energy sector, the just energy transition in the water sector. In the water sector, we are facing significant water security challenges,” she said.

Vilakazi said these shifts require a workforce that is not only technically skilled, but also adaptable and future-focused as industries evolve.

“We are looking at not building a workforce that is only technically capable, but a workforce that is adaptable, that is future focused and future ready,” she said.

The webinar highlighted ongoing concerns about the gap between education outcomes and workplace readiness, with panellists stressing the need for stronger coordination between training systems and employers to improve youth employability.

Sherrie Donaldson of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator said young people continue to face barriers in accessing work opportunities, even when they are qualified.

“The transition from education to work is fragmented. It’s still hard to find a job even if you have education,” she said.

She added that employers increasingly expect not only technical competence, but also workplace readiness and practical experience.

“Employers want young people that are not just technically skilled. They want young people that are ready to work,” she said.

Donaldson also pointed to structural barriers affecting youth access to the labour market, including transport costs, data costs, lack of connectivity in some areas and limited access to professional networks.

“Most of us got first jobs because someone introduced us to someone who helped us get a job. Young people in the demographics of South Africa don’t have those social networks,” she said.

From an employer perspective, Rand Water Senior Manager for Talent Management Maureen Miles said technical skills remain essential in ensuring the effective functioning of water infrastructure systems.

“The TVETs offer excellent opportunities for young people, and in fact, that skill is much more marketable than a university degree,” she said.

Miles added that operational roles in the water sector require consistency and long-term commitment due to the nature of service delivery.

“We need that person to come to their plant. We need them to do the work that they do. We need them to operate the plant in a particular way on a continuous basis,” she said.

A key focus of the webinar was showcasing how skills development can translate into entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in addressing South Africa’s energy and water challenges.

Founder of Electrical Technologies, Mfanelo Ndlela, said access to structured skills development support played an important role in shaping his business journey.

“The skills that we actually realised were important when we started our company was focusing on utilities,” he said.

Ndlela said his company now develops technology solutions aimed at improving water and energy systems through real-time monitoring and data-driven innovation.

“What we do with this device, we can in real time monitor water quality, track volumetrics, track water flow, immediately report on leaks,” he said.

He added that entrepreneurship requires resilience and continuous learning, especially in technology-driven sectors.

“It’s been a journey of resilience, skills, articulation and making sure that we fail fast,” he said.

The webinar also explored broader international opportunities, including the role of BRICS in youth development, trade and skills exchange.

South African BRICS Youth Association CEO Raymond Matlala said young people must be better exposed to global opportunities in education, innovation and trade cooperation.

“There is a lot of opportunities, both educational and economic,” he said.

He pointed to potential collaboration in sectors such as energy, artificial intelligence, manufacturing and agriculture across BRICS member states, which could expand opportunities for South African youth.

As the webinar concluded, panellists agreed that stronger partnerships between government, industry, training institutions and youth organisations are essential to improving employment outcomes and strengthening skills pipelines.

The discussion reinforced EWSETA’s message that youth development in the energy and water sectors must focus not only on training, but on building clear and practical pathways into work, entrepreneurship and long-term economic participation.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The post 50 years after Soweto uprising, EWSETA focuses on preparing youth for jobs of the future appeared first on Inside Education..

Honouring 50 years since the #SowetoUprising, the focus shifts to the present and future of South Africa’s youth. #EWSETA and #InsideEducation will explore how skills development can unlock meaningful opportunities and strengthen young people’s participation in the economy.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The post WATCH LIVE: Inside Education, EWSeta present skills development webinar appeared first on Inside Education..

By Charmaine Ndlela

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has told learner leaders to reject hatred and division amid tensions over foreign nationals, saying the youth must have the courage to protect people from violence.

“In our country at the moment, we are facing unprecedented levels of violence towards undocumented immigrants. And in rejecting cynicism and rejecting some of the divisions, we need young people who are ready and have the courage to say, let us protect people at all costs. Let us not allow ourselves to be consumed by hate, by division,” she said.

“Let us commit to a different country that says, I may not share your background, but here you are safe, at least safe from violence, where you will not be treated less than human. Because that’s not who we are as a country.”

She was speaking at the 2026 National Representative Council of Learners (RCL) Leadership Summit in Benoni, Gauteng, on Wednesday.

Gwarube said learner leaders had a responsibility to help build safer and more inclusive schools and communities.

The three-day summit, held under the theme Born of Resilience, driven by purpose: leading the future of learning, brought together learner representatives from across the country to engage with policymakers, education officials and youth leaders on issues affecting young people.

Reflecting on the Legacy of 1976 and the Role of today’s youth, Gwarube said every generation faces its own challenges and has a responsibility to respond to them.

“Your generation faces levels of bullying in schools, faces violence in communities. You face the dangers of substance abuse, gangsterism and gender-based violence. You face the pressures of social media, cyberbullying and online hate, misinformation and division. These challenges may look significantly different from those faced by youth of 1976, but they are no less important,” Gwarube said.

She said these challenges require young people who are prepared to lead. Emphasising that representative council of learners is so important.

She stressed that the RCL position is not just a badge, or a title, but saving others.

The minister said learner leadership was not about status or popularity, but about serving others and standing up for vulnerable learners.

“The true test of leadership is not how many followers you have on TikTok. The true test of leadership is how you use your influence to improve the lives of others,” she said.

Gwarube expressed concern about bullying and violence in schools, describing them as serious issues that negatively affect learners’ wellbeing and academic success.

“Bullying is not harmless. Its not a joke, It destroys confidence, damages mental health and robs learners of their sense of belonging,” she said.

She urged RCL members to take practical steps when they return to their schools, including identifying learners who may be isolated, strengthening reporting mechanisms and working with teachers and school management teams to promote learner safety.

“Every learner deserves to walk through the school gates feeling safe, feeling valued, and every learner deserves dignity. As learner leaders, you have a unique responsibility in this regard because you often see what teachers cannot see, you know who is being neglected, and you know who is struggling in silence, so leadership means refusing to look away, it means speaking up when others remain silent,” Gwarube said.

She said the Department of Basic Education continues to prioritise school safety through partnerships with the South African Police Service and the implementation of the Safe Schools Protocol.

“We are strengthening school safety, improving collaboration with local police stations, tackling bullying, violence, gangsterism, and substance abuse. We are making sure that our schools are places of learning and hope.”

However, she stressed that policies alone cannot create safe learning environments.

“The safest schools are not those with fences and security guards. The safest schools are those where learners choose to care for one another,” she said.

Gwarube encouraged young people to reject corruption, violence, prejudice and discrimination, saying democracy requires every generation to actively protect and strengthen it.

Gwarube concluded by encouraging learner leaders to lead with courage, compassion and integrity, reminding them that South Africa’s future rests in the hands of its youth.

“The future of South Africa is not waiting somewhere in the distance, the future of South Africa is already here, it is sitting in this room and ready to lead and i have faith in each and every one of you that you are going to answer the call of leadership, of service, of building a better country because South Africa is certainly worth fighting for,” she said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The post Gwarube tells learner leaders to reject violence against migrants appeared first on Inside Education..

By Thapelo Molefe

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has raised concerns about the employment of foreign academics at South African universities, saying some institutions have more foreign national professors than black, Indian and coloured professors combined.

The committee received a briefing from the Department of Higher Education and Training on the employment of foreign academics across the post-school education and training sector on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Gwarube tells learner leaders to reject violence against migrants

Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie said the committee’s interest in the matter predated recent investigations into allegedly fraudulent visas and was rooted in concerns about whether institutions were complying with South African laws governing employment and immigration.

“We support the policy framework on internationalisation, but ours was are we following, are we doing so, are we doing the internationalisation following the country’s laws, especially the Employment Services Act and the Immigration Act,” Letsie said.

He rejected suggestions that the committee’s scrutiny of the issue amounted to xenophobia, saying the focus was on compliance with the law and transformation in higher education.

Letsie said preliminary analysis of data submitted to the committee revealed that several universities had more foreign national professors than black, Indian and coloured professors combined.

According to Letsie, the institutions included the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of Pretoria, the University of the Free State and the University of Venda.

At UCT, he said, 39.7% of professors were white, 39.3% were foreign nationals and only 22% were black, Indian and coloured professors combined.

He questioned whether government investments aimed at developing South African academics were yielding sufficient results.

“Government 20 years ago introduced a fund to close the gap of blacks, Indians and coloured to be at that level. Are we saying government continues to waste funds on a scheme called National Research Foundation (NRF) if at least four institutions that I’ve told you about today, we still have more foreign national professors as compared to a combination,” he said.

ALSO READ: Technical outage delays report cards at some Gauteng schools

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela said the department agreed that institutions must comply with all applicable laws when employing foreign nationals.

“The Immigration Act makes it a criminal offence for an institution to employ a person without a valid work visa. The Employment Services Act requires that South Africans and permanent residents be prioritised, and that foreign nationals be appointed only where the skill is demonstrably unavailable at home,” Manamela said.

He added that the Employment Equity Act required that international recruitment should not be used to undermine transformation.

“Any institution that breaches these is not exercising academic freedom. It is breaking the law, and it will be treated accordingly,” he said.

Manamela cautioned against treating all foreign nationals as a single category, noting that many individuals counted in the figures were naturalised South African citizens or permanent residents.

“When we collapse the citizen or the permanent resident or the critical skills visa holder and the temporary contractor into a single suspect category, I don’t think we are clarifying a policy problem. We are actually feeding a politics that this House should be careful not to serve,” he said.

The minister also acknowledged shortcomings in the department’s data, saying some universities had struggled to reconcile staff records with visa and residency information.

He announced several measures to improve oversight, including reforms to the Higher Education Management Information System, a joint task team with the Department of Home Affairs and Universities South Africa to address visa-related challenges, and the appointment of a 19-member advisory panel to develop a standardised framework for international academic appointments.

Manamela said the long-term solution was to strengthen the pipeline of South African academics rather than restricting international recruitment.

“We have to produce more South African doctorates. There shouldn’t be any question about that,” he said.

The minister said the department had allocated 85 new generation academic posts, supported 92 emerging scholars and funded 47 doctoral candidates through university doctoral programmes as part of efforts to develop local academic talent.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The post Letsie says foreign academic numbers raise red flags over transformation appeared first on Inside Education..

By Levy Masiteng 

Some Gauteng schools will issue Term 2 report cards late after a technical failure disrupted access to SA-SAMS, the national school administration system used to capture and finalise learner records.

The disruption comes as schools prepare to close for the end of the second term on Friday, with learners expected to return on 21 July.

“On behalf of the Gauteng Department of Education, I extend my sincere apology to learners, parents and school staff affected by this delay. We understand the importance of report cards in tracking learner progress and planning for the academic term ahead,” said Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile.

He said system administrators and technicians were working to restore full functionality and normalise access.

Maile urged affected schools and parents to allow the technical process to be concluded so that report cards could be issued without compromising the integrity and accuracy of learner records.

“We are confident that the technical teams handling the matter will restore the system soon. We appreciate the patience shown by schools, learners and parents as this process is being resolved,” he said.

The provincial education department said it would continue to keep schools informed as progress is made.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The post Technical outage delays report cards at some Gauteng schools appeared first on Inside Education..