Teachers' union warns of dire consequences if early retirement scheme goes ahead

The South African Teachers’ Union (SAOU) has warned of dire consequences for education in South Africa, should the government push ahead with its Early Retirement Programme for public servants.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced during the 2024 Mid-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) that Treasury had approved a R11 billion package to encourage civil servants to retire early.

This cost-cutting measure is aimed at reducing South Africa’s significant public sector wage bill over the next two fiscal years.

At this stage it remains unclear when the programme will be rolled out as it is still under discussion at government level.

However the SAOU warns that the expected loss of 12,000 government positions would have a debilitating effect on schools, as it would include many senior educators aged between 55 and 63. 

Among these would be principals, deputy principals, departmental heads and the most experienced teachers in the system.

“These are the people who provide guidance and mentorship to schools. To date no research has been done to indicate the impact this loss of knowledge, skill and institutional memory will have on the class and school,” SAOU said. 

“At present there is no clear indication on when and how these positions will be filled, with the implication that classes and schools may have to function with empty key positions. 

“The SAOU urges employees of the public service to take an informed decision.”

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has emphatically rejected the government’s early retirement programme, arguing that the public service already has a huge vacancy rate. 

SAFTU added that South Africa currently has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 29.8 in public schools, which is significantly higher than the global average of 23.

“This proposition can only be made by a government that has lost touch with reality. It is a statement made by an uncaring state that has long abandoned the working class’s interests,” SAFTU said.

“Lastly, it’s a statement made by people who long contracted out of the public service who and their families receive better services in the private sector health, who have bodyguards and private security in their homes and whose children received education in the private sector,” the organisation added.