THERE were mixed reactions yesterday to the ongoing probe into sick leave claims in the Eastern Cape education department.
In some quarters, the department was blamed for poor record keeping and failing to process applications speedily.
The department revealed this week that a private company, Fever Tree Consulting, had been contracted to investigate a fiasco in which close to 5000 teachers are at home taking lengthy sick leave, costing taxpayers billions . The cases relate to the Policy on Incapacity Leave and Ill Health Retirement (PILIR).
Last year, provincial auditor-general (AG) Singa Ngqwala said inadequate systems to keep records of leave had resulted in the department overstating an amount of R2.95-billion on capped leave commitments and leave entitlements totalling R169.56-million in 2011.
Another R48.09-million was overstated as a result of leave days not captured and a miscalculation of salary accruals.
Mzoleli Mrara, chairman of provincial portfolio committee on education, was shocked to learn of the developments.
“We have no knowledge of this unless it is a national project and the national committee on education knows of it.”
He said record keeping and the processing of leave applications had been problematic in the department.
COPE MPL Angela Woodhall said the party welcomed the decision.
“We believe some responsibility for this lies with teachers and school administration. But the department is guilty of inefficiency and neglect. It is urgent to put it right.”
DA education spokesman Edmund van Vuuren said: “Applications from two visually impaired teachers in Port Elizabeth were not approved.
“These people wanted to be medically boarded. There are many outstanding cases costing billions of rands.”
Sadtu provincial secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni said: “Unilateral arrangements will never be acceptable to us as a strategic roleplayer. Acute teacher shortages and austerity measures are killing the workforce. This must be brought to engagement platforms so we all (have) input on what needs to be done, by whom, when and how.”
National Professional Teachers’ Union of South Africa (Naptosa) and the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwyersunie both said they had tried to raise sick leave issues with the department to no avail .
Independent education expert Graeme Bloch said a rational approach was needed to deal with sick leave cases and the issues of temporary and excess teachers. —
Mixed response to sick leave probe
In some quarters, the department was blamed for poor record keeping and failing to process applications speedily.
The department revealed this week that a private company, Fever Tree Consulting, had been contracted to investigate a fiasco in which close to 5000 teachers are at home taking lengthy sick leave, costing taxpayers billions . The cases relate to the Policy on Incapacity Leave and Ill Health Retirement (PILIR).
Last year, provincial auditor-general (AG) Singa Ngqwala said inadequate systems to keep records of leave had resulted in the department overstating an amount of R2.95-billion on capped leave commitments and leave entitlements totalling R169.56-million in 2011.
Another R48.09-million was overstated as a result of leave days not captured and a miscalculation of salary accruals.
Mzoleli Mrara, chairman of provincial portfolio committee on education, was shocked to learn of the developments.
“We have no knowledge of this unless it is a national project and the national committee on education knows of it.”
He said record keeping and the processing of leave applications had been problematic in the department.
COPE MPL Angela Woodhall said the party welcomed the decision.
“We believe some responsibility for this lies with teachers and school administration. But the department is guilty of inefficiency and neglect. It is urgent to put it right.”
DA education spokesman Edmund van Vuuren said: “Applications from two visually impaired teachers in Port Elizabeth were not approved.
“These people wanted to be medically boarded. There are many outstanding cases costing billions of rands.”
Sadtu provincial secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni said: “Unilateral arrangements will never be acceptable to us as a strategic roleplayer. Acute teacher shortages and austerity measures are killing the workforce. This must be brought to engagement platforms so we all (have) input on what needs to be done, by whom, when and how.”
National Professional Teachers’ Union of South Africa (Naptosa) and the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwyersunie both said they had tried to raise sick leave issues with the department to no avail .
Independent education expert Graeme Bloch said a rational approach was needed to deal with sick leave cases and the issues of temporary and excess teachers. —
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