South African teachers start #HandsOffTeachers movement

The growing arguments surrounding the payment of school fees have sparked a lot of debate online.

On the one hand, parents argue that if they are teaching their children themselves and should not have to pay. On the other hand, arguments ensue that teachers need to be paid, so school fees are essential.

Teachers are now speaking out.

In a Facebook post that gone turned viral, school teachers are copying and pasting a message referencing teachers who spend extra hours teaching children pre Covid-19 and how teachers have spent money out of their own pockets to often help students in the need.

The post reads:

#HandsOffteachers

When we worked weekends and after school hours, no one suggested that we get paid for overtime. When we taught overcrowded classes but still produced best results no one suggested we get a better salary. When we had to be over prepared because we had to cover everything for the sake of your child in limited time, no one became our voice for any compensation. When we took the little we have to buy school uniforms and pay for school trips for less fortunate learners, no one offered anything to us… Now that we getting paid without going to work the whole country starts complaining, we have been doing all the work without complaining. Now that you have to spend more hours with your kids you are complaining, think of what we go through every day when you cannot handle your child for just a few weeks.

We are teachers and we do a lot more than what we earn!

The post quickly got shared, with teachers all around the country reposting the update.

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