While all eyes are focusing on the matric pupils who are busy writing their final exams across the country, hundreds of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) teachers in Limpopo are struggling to make end meets because of non-payment from the Department of Education.

Some of the frustrated educators, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the fear of victimization, said they had been waiting for their salaries since October 15. “This also happened last October, and we only received our salaries in December,” they said

Another teacher said: “I am frustrated because, due to the non-payment, I could not pay the installment on my insurance policies, as there was not enough money in the account. I am also struggling to buy food for my wife and three children.”

Another teacher, who has been working for Abet for the past four years said: “It is strange that government usually fights against exploitation of workers against private companies, but they are doing the same thing against us. Whenever we enquire about the delay of our salaries, we are told there is a problem with the system, but it is amazing that this system always has problems in the same period every year."

Another teacher said he believed that “we are being exploited because we are not affiliated to any union as we are not full-time. This is not fair as all of us are doing the same job of educating learners, irrespective of the fact that some are full-time or part-time."

In his response, the spokesperson for the department in the province, Pat Kgomo, said: “We will investigate and found out what might be the cause of the delay in the payment of these eductors’ salaries. We will make sure that we get to the bottom of this issue, so that we can find a solution as soon as possible,” said Kgomo.

Abet teachers are paid according to the monthly claims submitted to the department every month.