Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-02-07

A schoolteacher from Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal has been allegedly drawing a salary of R18,000 a month for the last seven years despite being on sick leave with Laryngitis or a sore throat.

The Daily News reports that even while the teacher was away from the classroom during her sick leave, she has reportedly been seen frequenting the gym and spending time at shopping centres.

A source told the paper the teacher had been dismissed in September but was appealing against the decision and remained on full pay until the matter was finalised.

The school’s governing body chairman confirmed the teacher’s seven-year absence and dismissal, although he said he was not aware whether she was continuing to receive full pay.

“The parents are very upset. It’s a loss to the children and they are not receiving constructive teaching. It’s impacting the quality of teaching because the school is having to change teachers often,” he said.

According to the KwaZulu-Natal education department, the teacher has not been fired.

Bhekisisa Mncube, spokesman for Education MEC Peggy Nkonyeni, said the case was receiving attention “at the highest level of the department”.

“Our view, although the investigation is still ongoing, is that there has been an abuse of the system and lapses in a certain chain of command. This matter forms part of the wider probe in this matter,” he said.

“We can assure the public that taxpayers’ money will not go down the drain.”

Paul Colditz, chief executive of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South Africa, said this was the longest case of teacher absenteeism he had been informed of.

He said that in a case like this, the matter should be investigated, the teacher assessed by a medical practitioner and a recommendation made to the head of department – a process which would take a year maximum.

“If the teacher has been receiving a salary for seven years then it’s a huge amount including contributions to medical aid, pension and housing, as well as having to pay substitutes,” Colditz said.

Mncube said Nkonyeni had mentioned recently that there was “simply no room for lethargy and incompetence”.

“People who are misfits in our education system must either show their interest to learn to empower themselves or voluntarily leave. They must either shape up or ship out,” he said. – Daily News.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)