IOL News reports that the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) has held the Limpopo Department of Education (DOE) accountable for unjustly overlooking a highly qualified teacher for a principal position and has awarded her R50,000 in compensation.
The case centres around a teacher, referred to only as MM Rakgwale, who was deemed the most qualified candidate and more experienced than others for the role of principal at Makhutjisha Secondary School, yet was consistently excluded from the shortlist. She successfully aced the interview for the principal position and received a recommendation from the School Governing Body (SGB). However, the DOE nullified the recruitment process after receiving grievances from a male candidate, who was later appointed as the principal at Makhutjisha Secondary School following numerous rounds of shortlisting and interviews. Detailing her experience in her appeal at the ELRC, Rakgwale highlighted the bias inherent in the decision-making process.
In delivering the judgment, ELRC Commissioner Thapelo Mathekga articulated his dissatisfaction with the treatment Rakgwale had received. “I am satisfied that the department committed an unfair labour practice against Rakgwale by failing to shortlist her despite her adequate qualifications and experience for no apparent reason, given that she was previously shortlisted at least twice in the same recruitment process,” Mathekga ruled. He said based on the nature of the procedural irregularities in this case, a compensation of R50,000 once-off would be just and equitable for the injured feelings of Rakgwale.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News
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