Letter from a worried parent to the striking teachers

Dear teacher,

I hope this finds you well.  I am writing to express my sincere displeasure on how the government is treating your demand for pay rise. Your case is genuine, you deserve better pay more than any public servant since every professional passes through your hands.

Dear teacher, I write to you as a concerned parent. I am shocked that you are only able to see one side of the coin. You are only concentrating on yourself and forgeting about the children, who are the reason for your employment. Tragedy! Without them, you won’t be seen on streets picketing for a pay rise. For the last three weeks you have been on strike, you have come out as self-centred individuals, only minding about yourselves.

Not even once have I seen you on the streets picketing for the sake of the children despite the fact that they are also stakeholders in the education sector. I understand the laptop project is yet to be rolled out by the government as it promised, yet not even once have you been seen protesting for this to happen. The book to student ratio in most schools within the country is still low, yet you have never picketed so that the government provides books for the pupils.

Have you even thought for a minute the impact of your strike on the children? It seems you have not.  The national exams are in the offing, yet you have not cared about preparing the candidates for the exams yet you expect them to pass. Funny enough, the day the results are released you are the first to run in the streets to celebrate the results! Why should you take credit where it’s not due?

Remember you always demand that school fees be paid in full before the term commences. Will you carry forward the fee we parents have paid this term? I am also well informed that you were paid salary for the month of August which you didn’t work for and you are soon receiving September salary which you have not worked for! Dear teacher, be considerate and regard the welfare of students as much as yours.

Did you teachers watch the news where a girl opted for marriage because of your strike for fear of failing in the national exams? Many students are now walking from one club to another for lack of engagement at school. Most of them are still young and need guidance from you teachers. Did you know that my daughter Meirelle believes in your wisdom? Whenever I tell her something contrary to what her teacher said she will quickly say “But teacher said......” 

Know that your strike is greatly affecting the innocent children in a negative way. Dear teachers, please reconsider your stand.

Yours faithfully

Concerned parent