ELRC 202324 Annual Report

EDUCATION LABOUR RELATIONS COUNCIL | 2023/24 ANNUAL REPORT

L EDUCATION LABOUR RELATIONS COUNCI

Overview of Performance of the Free State Chamber for the 2023/24 Financial Year Overall performance by quarterly targets is satisfactory despite challenges encountered concerning the functionality of the Employment Equity Forum, which resulted in the Chamber not achieving one of the performance targets. The period under review ended with this challenge. However, a harmonious working relationship prevailed throughout the year and parties succeeded in maintaining labour peace in the education sector. Free State Collective Agreement 1 of 2019 The recruitment process relating to Vacancy List 1 of 2023 highlighted progress, with a grand total of 793 posts advertised, 637 filled and 156 not filled. The reasons why some posts were not filled included re-advertisement due to not finding suitable candidates, wrong profiling of posts and requests for independent panels to be established, causing delays in concluding the filling of posts. This had an adverse effect on post provisioning. The Department and Labour’s commitment is to work jointly for the enhancement and speedy handling of challenges and grievances arising from the advertisement and filling of posts. Collective Agreement 4 of 2018 Consistency in the implementation of this agreement resulted in a significant improvement in the conditions of employment of educators. The number increased from 25. This included 49 temporary educators converted into permanent appointments in the first and second quarters, gradually increasing to 60 educators converted in the third quarter and 107 eligible for conversion, but who are awaiting School Governing Body (SGB) recommendations in the fourth quarter of this financial year. Collective Agreement 2 of 2020 Training was provided to support newly appointed Circuit Managers to understand QMS processes and the use of instruments. Monitoring and support visits were conducted in support of School Management Teams (SMT) for the implementation of the QMS Management Plan. The outcome of the visits showed that ongoing support was needed for the development of SMT work plans and appraisal processes. Management plans were available. There was compliance with mid-year appraisals and a total of 20 410 educators, therapists and psychologists were appraised, with evidence of the use of instruments and timetables. A QMS indaba was held in three districts to strengthen the implementation of CA 2 of 2020 and 2 of 2022. A QMS Colloquium was also held at a provincial level on 24 - 25 Aug 2023 to strengthen implementation. The following key resolutions were taken: • District programmes should incorporate the implementation of QMS • IQMS Sub-directorate and districts to schedule training for Circuit Managers, Subject Advisors and SMTs • Monitoring the implementation of work plans should be prioritised as a key activity by Circuit Managers and SMTs • Appraisal processes should be incorporated into schools, district plans and these should be strictly monitored Collective Agreement 3 of 2017 The agreement has been implemented adequately, with a 1.5% pay progression for the 2022/23 EMS PMDS cycle effected on 12October 2023 on a supplementary run, with another supplementary on 13October to bring payments up to date and conclude processes. The level of compliance concerning the 2023/24 Education Management Service (EMS), Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) for office-based Educators on performance agreements and mid-year assessments was at 682 (93%) and the total number of annual assessments submitted was 646 (88%).

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