MEC wants to cap Sadtu's reach in schools

It sounds improbable, but Gauteng's education authorities have pledged to wrest control of state schools from the clutches of political and union influence.

Speaking yesterday on the second day of the debate on premier David Makhura's state of the province address, education MEC Panyaza Lesufi announced that the department of education would seek to limit the influence of political bodies or unions in important appointments at government schools.

"Membership of any political party or union will no longer be a free passport to posts," Lesufi said.

Though not mentioning any organisation by name, the comment can be seen as being directed at the SA Democratic Teachers Union.

Though his comments drew applause from much of the legislature, most noticeably from the Democratic Alliance - Lesufi's undertaking has the potential to make an enemy out of the weighty Sadtu.

The MEC's task will include taking on Sadtu's most powerful region - the Gauteng central region - which has more than 11000 members in Soweto, Lenasia, Eldorado Park, the whole of Johannesburg including Alexandra, as well as Midrand and Benoni, on the East Rand.

Lesufi also called for full-time cleaners at township schools.