Support staff at Golden Hours Special Needs School in Durban have raised alarm over months of unpaid salaries, claiming they have not received their wages for May and June. The workers, who play a critical role in assisting children with disabilities, say the financial strain has severely impacted their livelihoods and the school’s operations.
Unpaid Salaries Disrupt School Operations
According to an anonymous staff member, the payment issues began earlier this year when the acting principal allegedly informed them in February that the school had no funds to pay them beyond that month. The workers reported the matter to their union, the Public Servants Association (PSA), which intervened and secured their March salaries. However, payments remained inconsistent—April salaries were only partially paid at 40%, while May and June wages were withheld entirely.
The delays have forced some staff to borrow money to survive, while others have been unable to afford transportation to work. This has led to staff shortages, affecting the level of care provided to the school’s vulnerable learners, including children with Down syndrome, autism, and physical and mental disabilities.
Impact on Learners and School Environment
The support staff, who assist with daily care such as hygiene, feeding, and supervision, emphasized that their absence directly harms the students.
“It’s not affecting only us as workers, it’s also affecting the learners because they depend on us more than the teachers,” the anonymous staff member said. “Some can’t clean themselves, some need help using the toilet, some wear nappies. If we’re not here, who helps them?”
Additionally, cleaners and groundsmen have struggled to report for duty due to financial constraints, leaving the school in an unsanitary state—a major concern for children with special needs.
Union and Legal Intervention
The PSA has repeatedly engaged with school management, but responses have been lacking, especially during school holidays when emails and calls went unanswered. The matter was escalated to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA), but payments remain unresolved.
The staff member revealed that only workers employed under the School Governing Body (SGB) payroll—not the Department of Education—are affected, raising questions about fund mismanagement.
Calls for Immediate Action
As the crisis deepens, the PSA is expected to provide further updates, while affected workers demand urgent intervention to ensure they receive their overdue salaries. The situation highlights broader systemic issues in the funding and management of special needs schools, leaving both employees and vulnerable students in precarious conditions.
