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The Covid-19 pandemic’s devastating effect on governing body posts is a reality, even in the Rose City.
Possibly 30 of these positions are now being held at a primary school in Bloemfontein.
Greg Titus, Naptosa chief executive in Kimberley and Bloemfontein, believes retrenchments can be prevented and says the education union will do everything possible to save the posts.
“There are many members who say as long as they can keep their jobs, they can give up part of their salary.”
At least four of its members are affected by the possible retrenchments at the school.
The affected staff members received a letter of attorney regarding the Section 189 process, Titus says.
After consulting with the group, according to the letter, employees would also have individual consultations during the week to think, among other things, of solutions to prevent or at least minimize retrenchments.
The reason for the proposed retrenchments given in the letter is the economic pressure that the Covid 19 pandemic has placed on the country, with the result that parents refuse to pay school fees because they believe it is unsafe to bring their children into send that time to school. It was also not possible to hold fundraising events.
According to the letter, instead of retrenchments, the governing body considered various other options, such as salary reductions for everyone in these positions.
Because the school’s income is so low, the reduction of the compensation would have minimal impact and the school would still not be able to afford the staff.
Another consideration was to transfer the employees to other schools, but everyone is in the same boat.
The employees in question are teachers, librarians, cleaners, handymen, drivers, mechanics, administrative workers, security officers and candy store workers.
Titus says the school’s budget needs to be looked at first and believes it is still too early to make the decision. The school fees collected can now begin to increase with the pupils returning.
He says there was an improvement in the number of parents who pay school fees from Monday.
Naptosa will ensure that the consultation process takes place in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Relations Act.
“Covid-19 is going to have a devastating effect on the activities of schools.”
