Matric exam markers at the Humansdorp marking centre in Eastern Cape have embarked on what they call a “red pen down”, after citing a number of grievances.
What was meant to be a 12-hour shift of marking was cut short.
South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) committee member Sithembiso Cekiso says they are calling for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and are demonstrating against the transport payment reduction and non-payment of the COVID-19 allowance.
The provincial education department is expected to visit the centre to discuss the concerns raised by the markers.
Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima says solutions will be in line with the markers’ contracts, to ensure marking resumes.
In the video below, Naptosa and Sadtu are concerned that teachers are not in the first group to receive COVID-19 vaccine:
Meanwhile, teacher unions in KwaZulu-Natal have called for the Department of Education to halt marking in centres that have not been adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.
This comes after a marker died due to COVID-19-related illnesses in Estcourt in the Midlands.
