DA Pushes for Action as Limpopo Teacher Assistants Claim Unpaid Wages

Frustration is mounting in Giyani, Mopani district, as several teacher assistants say they have not received salaries for June and July. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has now called on Limpopo’s MEC for Basic Education, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, to intervene urgently, highlighting the growing tensions between education workers and the provincial department.

The party revealed that it had been inundated with calls this week from concerned teacher assistants who claim months of unpaid work.

Teacher Assistants: The Unsung Heroes of Limpopo Schools

“These teacher assistants are vital to the smooth running of schools,” said Jacques Smalle, DA provincial spokesperson on basic education. He explained that the program not only supports day-to-day school operations but also provides job opportunities for young people interested in education.

Limpopo currently employs over 10,000 teacher assistants, though it remains unclear how many are affected by non-payment. “This situation undermines the very spirit of the initiative, which was designed to create meaningful work for youth,” Smalle added.

Frustration Grows as Communication Breaks Down

Two teacher assistants from Giyani confirmed to local reporters that they had not been paid for June and July. Both described a frustrating cycle of being passed from one department official to another without resolution. “They claim to be working on it, but later stop responding to our calls,” one assistant said.

Despite these claims, the Limpopo Department of Education insisted that all teacher assistants had been paid according to the service-level agreement, dismissing the allegations as unfounded.

Social Media Reaction and Local Backdrop

The issue has sparked conversation on social media, with many users expressing solidarity with teacher assistants and criticizing bureaucratic inefficiency. For communities in Giyani, teacher assistants are more than support staff—they are essential in keeping classrooms functional, helping learners, and providing stability in schools often challenged by staff shortages.

The DA’s call for MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya to intervene reflects broader concerns about transparency and accountability in the province’s education system. For local youth employed in these roles, timely payment is not just a financial issue, it is a matter of dignity and respect for their contribution to Limpopo’s classrooms.

{Source: The Citizen}

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