Money to fund schools has to come from somewhere

ONCE again Christian Martin, MPL and ANC whip, lambasts schools ("Schools cannot impose ‘donations’ ”, January 4) for withholding reports from various pupils for various reasons.

First of all, I am sure Martin receives his full salary at the end of every month. So, he does not experience the hardship which some of the teachers are experiencing where they’ve been teaching at the schools for years, yet not being paid by the department.

These teachers have always been declared temporary year after year by the department. Their salaries are therefore paid for by the school governing bodies (SGBs).

Where do they get this income from? The parents via school fees.

I ask any intelligent person to work out the logistics and make known their conclusion should parents not pay school fees. The Education Department is certainly dragging its heels in this regard by not appointing teachers permanently at schools!

Once again, I challenge Martin to work tirelessly, be at work each and every day, coach sport in the afternoons, mark the pile of books after hours, prepare for the next day and return each morning with a positive attitude. I’ve witnessed this where I’ve been relief teaching plus the governing body cannot afford to pay these teachers their full salaries.

They are educating these children receiving about 60% of their pay.

I am sure, Mr Martin, that your salary is your full one at the end of every month and a large one too!

No, it’s not the SGBs and principals who are holding the parents ransom. It’s the very department who is supposed to have all the pupils’ interests at heart.

Disillusioned teacher, Port Elizabeth