ELRC 202324 Annual Report

EDUCATION LABOUR RELATIONS COUNCIL | 2023/24 ANNUAL REPORT

L EDUCATION LABOUR RELATIONS COUNCI

Labour inquired whether the number of weighted learners differed from actual learners. The Employer affirmed that the number of weighted learners was slightly more than the actual learner numbers and was calculated using a pre determined formula. The formula was applied in all schools. The Employer indicated that “no-fee schools” were declared and introduced in January 2007. The quintile system in South Africa classified public schools into five groups, ranking them from the poorest (quintile 1) to the least poor (quintile 5). The poverty rankings were determined nationally, according to the poverty of the geographic area where schools were located and infrastructural factors. Schools in quintiles 1, 2, and 3 were declared “no-fee schools”; therefore, no registration or activity fees were payable. There was no difference in the funding of schools in those quintiles. Schools in quintiles 4 and 5 were fee-paying and allowed to charge compulsory school fees. Labour inquired about the success rate of schools applying to be placed in a different quintile ranking. The Employer responded that applications and supporting documents received from schools were processed without considering the Statistics South Africa data. This was because learners were moving between wards, which could result in a skewed poverty profile. Separate budgets were used to address schools’ specific needs. If all applications for conversion to “non fee paying” schools were approved, it would cost the Employer approximately R50,000,000. During the consultation process, the Employer indicated that as of 30 June 2023, the impending over-expenditure of 2.9% was valued at approximately R358 150 million. However, this did not impact the current financial year’s post allocation, which remained at 10 188, as per the previous financial year. Following various discussions, the process was adopted during a special Chamber meeting on 27 September 2023. Educator Health & Wellness : Labour consistently raised concerns about the limited reach and impact of programmes conducted by the Employer. This prejudiced school-based educators, as they were not benefiting. The Employer responded that the unit was experiencing staff shortages, which hindered the capacity to reach a larger group of educators.

Dispute Prevention:

Categories Grievances

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

8 received 3 finalised 23 received 10 finalised

11 received 9 finalised 28 received 13 finalised

4 received 4 finalised 26 received 10 finalised

2 received 1 finalised 20 received 2 finalised

Misconduct cases

15 suspensions Cost: R3 290, 953.55

13 suspensions Cost: R3 556 260.30

12 suspensions Cost: R3 067 369.75

12 suspensions Cost: R2 698 655.25

Precautionary suspensions

Conciliations: 3 received 1 finalised Arbitrations: 21 received 13 finalised

Conciliations: 1 received 1 finalised. Arbitrations: 20 received 3 finalised

Conciliations: 6 received 6 finalised Arbitrations: 22 received 8 finalised

Conciliations: 6 received 4 finalised Arbitrations: 26 received 10 finalised

Disputes

2 pending cases 1 received, not finalised

3 pending cases 2 pending appeals

4 pending cases 2 pending appeals

4 pending cases 2 pending appeals

Labour court cases

Appeals

None

None

None

None

Officials conducting business with the State

Comment – Labour raised the delay in finalising matters, whilst the Employer undertook to address the delay.

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