Pension fears: SA’s teachers quit in droves

Pretoria - Proposed changes in tax law have resulted in more teachers taking early retirement for fear of losing their pension payouts.

In the 2015/16 financial year, 8 283 government employees left the system through retirements, resignations, and dismissal. Of the 8 283, 2 948 were teachers. At least 41 teachers left because of medical reasons; 1 671 resigned and 1 236 took early retirement.

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MEC Panyaza Lesufi said he was more worried about those who were fired for absconding. “Sixty-four educators were fired because they didn’t come to work for a period exceeding a month.

“Eleven were fired for sexual assault. In the year 2015, the department handled a number of disciplinary cases, ranging from corporal punishment, improper conduct, dishonesty, financial mismanagement, sexual assault and harassment as well as abscondment,” Lesufi said.

“Of the cases concluded, 102 employees received sanctions of dismissals but five of the 102 cases, were overturned on appeal,” he added. The department also expelled 434 pupils in 2015 and 80 percent of these cases were drug related.

“Over 340 pupils were expelled for testing positive, possession; selling or abuse of illegal narcotics.

About 65 pupils were expelled for assault-related offences; theft or the possession of dangerous weapons. Twenty-two pupils are no longer in school for disrupting teaching and learning continuously; bunking; sexual harassment; damage to property or making racist remarks.

PRETORIA NEWS