SENEA Public Schools: Educators without Employment Contracts & Payslips

The Special Education Needs Employees Association (SENEA) is calling for political action to ensure job security for educators in the Special Education Needs (SEN) sector. The SEN sector has undergone significant reorganization in recent years, particularly with the establishment of the Special Education Needs Authority (SENA), which regulates the sector, provides training, processes salary payments, and recently began recruiting staff for SEN schools.

However, government-managed units within this sector have been raising concerns about the lack of employment contracts and payslips for educators and caregivers.

This situation, lingering for several years, has been highlighted by Krish Sunnassy, a technical advisor at SENEA, which is a new union formed to advocate for the rights of workers in special education.

Despite notable advancements, including the establishment of SENA, Sunnassy points out that significant issues remain unresolved.

“With the recent Remuneration Order, staff are now more valued and entitled to a decent salary.

This is a significant step forward. However, there are still problems that need addressing for public school staff,” he stated.

Sunnassy explained that within the specialized education landscape, schools are run by various organizations, including NGOs and the diocesan education service.

In recent years, the government has incorporated SEN units into primary schools.

Yet, as of now, public school staff still have no employment contracts or payslips, leaving many employees, especially women, without job security.

“We have raised this issue with SENA and the Ministry of Education. They have committed to resolving it, and we hope it will happen soon,” he added.

Many of these educators and caregivers have dedicated years to their work, and their attempts to regularize their employment status have been unsuccessful.

“Previously, staff were under the Parent-Teachers Association of each school, with authorities disbursing funds for salary payments.

Recently, SENA has taken over the salary payments directly, which is a positive change.

However, for job security, a policy decision is necessary. These individuals need to be formally employed, some with over ten years of service,” Sunnassy explained.

This lack of formal employment also denying staff the right to a minimum wage.

“Public school staff do not qualify for the Cost of Living Allowance (CSG). Until their employment status is regularized, they will continue to face penalties, which is why we are urgently calling for a resolution,” he urged.

Sunnassy also raised the issue of back pay and appeals to the Ministry of Finance to ensure that SENA has the necessary resources to provide public sector SEN workers with equal treatment to their private sector counterparts.

He condemned certain dishonest managers in private schools who have replaced long-term employees with relatives, stating, “When the government issued the Remuneration Order for the SEN sector, intended to ensure fair salaries for employees, some managers attempted to benefit their friends and family instead.”

He claimed that long-term staff members have been replaced by relatives of these managers, describing it as an abuse of public funds.

“The Ministry of Education must pay closer attention to such cases. While the majority of managers perform their duties well, a few are acting unethically.”

The union also emphasized the importance of health and safety in SEN schools. “This is a challenging job; staff must manage children with mental health issues and physical disabilities.

It requireed great effort, and their well-being must also be prioritized.”

Sunnassy noted that the Ministry of Labor has been contacted regarding this situation, and complaints have been filed by public school staff.

Concerns for Heads of Schools

The Remuneration Order for the SEN sector was published in March of this year, establishing a legal framework for the first time.

An educator with a Teacher’s Diploma (SEN) from the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) is now entitled to a starting salary of Rs 25,500.

A Teacher Assistant began their career at Rs 22,300, while a Carer started at Rs 18,755.

However, there is a significant oversight in the Remuneration Order, as it does not address the salaries of Heads of Schools. While some are leaders of NGOs, receiving funding from social security, others are merely employees. This has led to situations where some Carers earn more than their Heads of Schools, which is perplexing and remains unresolved by SENA.

It is important to note that the majority of those working in this sector are women.

Controversy Surrounding Student Transfers at Loïs Lagesse School for the Blind

Parents of children attending the Loïs Lagesse Trust Fund – School for the Blind are united against a recent decision by SENA.

During the second-term holidays, they were informed that their children would be transferred to an integrated unit at the Henry Buswell School in Rose-Hill.

Parents argued that their visually impaired children have already established a sense of belonging at Loïs Lagesse, and transferring them would disrupt their comfort and safety.

Although the children have been allowed to remain at their current school for the moment, parents remain anxious.

Rumors suggesting that the government may have other plans for the building, leaving those managing the Jacques Cantin Talking Book library uncertain about their own future there.

Source: Le Mauricien