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Former minister, Angie Motshekga, introduced the allowance in 2018 to encourage teachers to take up jobs in rural areas. 

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Sizwe sama Yende

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The Limpopo Department of Education has applied to rescind an arbitration award that directed it to pay R17.6 million as rural allowance to teachers.

Two hundred and sixty nine teachers lodged a complaint against the Limpopo Department of Education for discrimination with the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) when they were denied the incentive even though they worked in rural areas.

The department did not send a representative to the hearing, and the award was given to the teachers in absentia.

Limpopo education spokesperson, Matome Taueatsoala, said that the department that ELRC commissioner was informed.

“This is a default Arbitration Award because the employer representative couldn’t attend due to ill health and the commissioner was informed about this before the sitting,” Taueatsoala said.

“We have applied for rescission of the arbitration award with the ELRC in order for the council to set aside the arbitration award and reschedule the matter for a fresh hearing. We have attached the medical certificate as proof that the employer representative was indisposed,” he said.

“The application for rescission implies that the Arbitration Award would not be implemented until the matter is adjudicated by the ELRC and a determination is made. We await the outcome of the rescission application from the ELRC,” Taueatsoala added.

According to the award, each of the teacher is owed R65 000, which the department must pay before July 31 2024. This covers the period from April 30 2022.

The DA has written to Education MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, requesting her to determine the total cost of the award to the department, and the implication of the R17 million award against the department on its budget and programmes in the current financial year.

Provincial legislature member, Jacques Smalle, also wants to know reasons the department was not represented at the hearing.

“This incentive is aimed at attracting well qualified educators to apply for posts in rural schools and to improve the quality of teaching and learner outcomes in these areas,” Smalle said.

Smalle said that the department received 48% of the provincial budget and the Compensation of Employees accounted for 76.5% (R30.641 billion) of the total departmental budget.

“This leaves limited resources for the other programmes of the department. The arbitration ruling will have an effect on the planning and budget processes of the department going forward. The DA will continue to monitor progress with regard to this issue. We are committed to ensuring quality education and a bright future for learners,” he added.

Former Education minister, Angie Motshekga, scrapped the allowance scheme effectively from April 1 this year due to lack of funds.

Motshekga introduced the allowance in 2018 to encourage teachers to take up jobs in rural areas.

The allowance added about 10% to teachers’ salaries in rural schools, but department failed to pay resulting in legal confrontations.