Futura School dismisses additional teachers
Affected teachers can apply for any vacancies at the school.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed that the School Governing Body (SGB) of Futura School in Ridgeway followed the correct procedure when dealing with the teachers’ dismissal.
This was after the school decided to dismiss 15 SGB teachers by the end of April.
Some of these teachers contacted Southern Courier and questioned the legitimacy of their dismissal.
They said the school dismissed them because of a lack of funds and that earlier this year, they signed a contract that procured them until the end of this year. However, on February 28, they received a letter titled: Proposal dismissal for operational requirements. It stated that the dismissals would likely take effect on April 29.
Their concerns are:
• Why were they not told when they signed the contract for the entire year?;
• The notice of their dismissal is two months instead of three;
• What will happen to the scores of learners who will not have teachers after the dismissals?
The Southern Courier contacted the GDE, and its spokesperson Steve Mabona had this to say:
The SGB of Futura School has informed the GDE of its need to restructure the school and its programmes for 2023.
• The GDE has made provision for the school to meet its operational requirements for 435 learners in its post-establishment 2022/2023.
• There are vacancies available as per post establishment.
• The SGB employs additional teachers to enhance teaching and learning, which is made possible with the payment of school fees by parents.
• The SGB has indicated that the school fees collected in January 2023 were less than expected and the school experienced a shortfall, making the employment of additional teachers unsustainable.
• The SGB has followed the procedure in Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act, which deals with dismissals for operational requirements.
• The SGB of the school is following due process as per the Employment Contracts signed by the employees.
All affected members were invited to a consultative meeting, as per section 189(2), on February 28. The process is in progress.
The GDE has made provision for sufficient teachers in the allocated post-provisioning. No learners will be without any teachers. The affected teachers will be allowed to apply for any vacancies that exist at the school, as per the GDE post establishment.
