Neesha Maharaj|Published
The Educators’ Union of South Africa rejects a South African Council of Educators (SACE) ruling that polices the behaviour of teachers’ outside of school hours.
However, Naptosa supports SACE’s code of professional ethics which expects teachers to adhere to rules of good behaviour whilst off duty and during lesson time.
SACE has implemented this code of conduct to ensure that teachers display a high degree of professionalism at all times.
Teachers who do not heed the call for good conduct in the classroom and while off duty can jeopardise their professional standing, SACE said in a statement.
“Teachers in South Africa can face disciplinary action for serious misconduct even when they are off duty and away from school. This means that behaviour such as getting in fights, threatening people on social media or driving under the influence of alcohol can put their professional careers at risk,” said SACE.
The move comes amid reports of teachers engaging in cyber bullying, tavern brawls and driving under the influence of alcohol.
President of the Educators Union of South Africa, Scelo Bengu said they rejected this ruling.
He said teachers had a “life outside of education”.
He said teachers should not have to adhere to professional standards outside of the classroom.
“If a teacher did something wrong relevant to schooling, for example kiss a pupil, then such a code of conduct is acceptable. However, you cannot charge me for misconduct if I swore at a tavern. I was in a totally different environment which has nothing to do with my work,” said Bengu.
He said SACE deducted millions of rands from teachers monthly but did not use the funds where it was really needed.
Bengu said teachers needed to be made aware of the Employment of Educators Act.
“SACE should be on the ground conducting workshops to teachers who are not aware of amendments made to the Employment of Educator Act,” added Bengu.
The National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) said welcome the move by SACE.
Spokesperson Thirona Govender said: “It is a workplace rule in many sectors outside education as well and the courts have reinforced this rule. NAPTOSA supports this rule. Teachers must respect their profession wherever they may be. They must be role models and live by example,” said Govender.
Chatsworth principal Dr Jeeva Naidoo said teachers were on duty 24/7.
“We should be role models for pupils and the community. We should lead by example whether it concerns the dress code, punctuality or other matters. Pupils need to respect us therefore our conduct is important,” said Naidoo.
He said schools had a code of conduct for pupils and teachers.
“If we expect pupils to adhere to a code of conduct, teachers have to also lead by example. I know we have a life outside of school but if a teacher behaves badly while off duty they may be identified and associated to their schools," he said.
A teacher from Shallcross, who did not want to be named, said she and many of her colleagues were not in favour SACE’s ruling to take teachers to task outside of working hours.
“We do not agree or like this ruling by SACE. School is work and home is home. Our privacy should not be dictated to by the State. The government is overplaying their role in our private lives. Our freedom of expression is being dictated,’ she said.