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10 Sep 2010

COSATU Western Cape’s attack on the Western Cape Government’s catch-up plan for learners worst affected by the strike, is entirely baseless and grossly misleading.

Unlike COSATU, this government puts the rights of learners at the centre of everything we do. That is why throughout the strike we implemented a management plan to offset the worst effects of the strike on learners. This plan is now being extended until the 5th of November.

Attempts by some strikers to disrupt these arrangements are the best evidence of the disregard they have for the rights of learners.

The Western Cape Government’s comprehensive catch-up plan (that has been communicated publicly on numerous occasions) is specifically targeted at all Grade 12 learners affected by the strike and includes:

1. Holiday camps

2. Tutoring programme

3. Telematics programme

The truth of the matter is that it appears that elements of COSATU do not care at all about learners, but is only focussed on trying to ensure that its members make up for the money they lost during the strike.

It is a supreme irony that a union responsible for damaging the education opportunities of disadvantaged learners can now pretend to have their best interests at heart. The public of the Western Cape will not be fooled by this leap of logic and they can rest assured that we are doing everything possible to ensure that the rights of learners will be protected. No amount of self-serving and misleading propaganda from COSATU will distract us from this task.

Media enquiries:
Bronagh Casey
Cell: 072 7241 422
Tel: 021 467 2377

Issued by: Western Cape Education
10 Sep 2010

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