TEACHERS TAKE WCED TO COURT OVER LOST POSTS

Alleges unfair dismissal after contracts were not renewed

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

TEACHERS who lost their jobs amid the cut of 2 407 posts across the province continue to legally challenge the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), turning to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) for reinstatement.

In the most recent case, a teacher instituted proceedings for alleged unfair dismissal after his fixed term contract was not renewed in January. According to the teacher, who represented himself, his principal applied for conversion of his post to permanent, but he was not successful. He phoned her on January 9, to ask whether he must report for duty five days later, as there might be a position for him.

But despite hopes for a growth post in 2025, the applicant was notified that their contract would expire and there is no position for him.

Another teacher, in Kuils River, was also unsuccessful earlier this month at challenging the decision not to convert his post into a permanent post. The teacher was employed in 2021 to teach IsiXhosa, Life Science and Social Sciences, and testified that at the end of 2024, along with three other teachers at the school, lodged a grievance after their posts were not converted.