Teachers need a response

AT the beginning of the new school year, I look forward to starting my work as a teacher and tackling the challenges of our profession. I love my job, but I have a problem with my salary and do not know how to resolve this matter.

I have followed the right procedures so far, but still have not received feedback from the Department of Education (DOE) or the officials involved.

I have – in total – 18 years and eight months of teaching experience, but when I was appointed as a permanent teacher by the DOE no recognition was given to my prior service.

This, despite the fact that every time I was appointed in a temporary post at our school, I had to fill in prior teaching experience in the application form. Over a period of three years, I filled those forms in at least five times, and it was hand–delivered to our District offices.

A letter requesting the DOE to investigate the matter and proof of previous service was handed to our local District office in August 2014.

At the same time, copies of these were sent to my union, who investigated the matter and contacted the DOE on my behalf, requesting them to investigate and report back.

A second submission followed on 26 September and a third submission on 28 October. A fourth submission was sent on 25 November.

Still, I have received no acknowledgment of receipt or confirmation that someone has been appointed to investigate the matter.

My union indicated that the department is very slow in sorting out these kinds of problems. It can take up to three years! This is ridiculous! I work hard for my salary and deserve every cent I get (or should get).

This is extremely frustrating, since the recognition of prior service, can make a quite a difference to my current salary, and according to my union, I should also receive back-pay.

I am not the only teacher in our District experiencing this problem. We are not even allowed to contact the officials to find out what is going on.

Maybe publishing this matter in the newspaper will make a difference.

FRUSTRATED TEACHER