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A LOCAL coach has welcomed the decision to allow school athletics events to continue despite the ongoing “work-to-rule” campaign, which would have resulted in the cancellation of major upcoming school sporting events in the Northern Cape.
He pointed out that the pupils had worked too hard to simply stop training.
“The Top 20 Athletics Competition was scheduled to take place in Hartswater this weekend and provincial and national track and field and cross-country championships are planned to take place in March,” the coach said.
Members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) and the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysunie/South African Teachers Union (SAOU) restricted their working hours to seven hours per day from January 27.
The union members are refusing to clock in any overtime or engage in extra-curricular activities after hours due to budget cuts that have left schools struggling to function without the necessary resources. Temporary teachers were also not paid last month.
The Northern Cape Department of Education announced on the weekend that school athletics, specifically track and field events, would continue in the province following discussions with the Northern Cape School Athletics structure.
FF+ provincial leader Wynand Boshoff pointed out that while unions were “punishing” the Department of Education for its alleged financial mismanagement, pupils were bearing the brunt.
“Sports events are the highlight of the school calendar and pupils have been training throughout the year and over the holidays in order to perform to their best ability. It will be a travesty if athletics is no longer offered at schools,” said Boshoff.
He added that it would be difficult to catch up on lost learning and teaching time due to the “work-to-rule” arrangement.
DA spokesperson on Education Priscilla Isaacs said they had requested the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mangaliso Matika, on February 7 to intervene, as no track and field events were being arranged by the Northern Cape School Athletics Board due to the ongoing industrial action.
Isaacs said this was negatively affecting athletes in the province who compete nationally and internationally.
Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said that Northern Cape School Athletics had “expressed its commitment to moving forward with the activities” following their engagements.
“This is a clear demonstration that we have the best interest of pupils at heart, as it will provide them with the opportunity to compete at the district, provincial and national levels. We fully recognise the sacrifices made by many pupils, parents, educators and schools in preparing for the athletics championships,” said Van der Merwe.
He expressed his gratitude to Northern Cape School Athletics, schools and educators for ensuring the successful hosting of these events.
“The new dates will be formally announced by the Northern Cape School Athletics structure to all participating schools. The Department of Education wishes all schools and athletes well in their preparation and participation in the School Athletics championships,” Van der Merwe added.