By Gabi Khumalo

After months of waiting, teachers will finally get their Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) payments in full before Christmas.

“The payroll Persal will be loaded on 14 December 2009 for payments to educators on 18 December 2009 for the recognition of experience, pay progression (3 percent) and the once off amount for the senior and master teachers.

“The supplementary payment for the upgrade of teachers will occur on 24 December 2009, provided no problems are experienced on the system,” Department of Basic Education spokesperson, Dr Granville Whittle said.

Whittle explained that the Education Labour Relations Council Collective Agreement 4 of 2009 finalisation of matters linked to the OSD, signed on 14 August 2009, was effective from 1 July 2009, however government had to source additional funding for the implementation.

“This was partially granted and an addendum to the agreement was made with teacher unions that the additional funding would be utilised for the recognition of experience and the once off amount for the senior and master teachers,” said Whittle.

He noted that the pay progression and upgrade of teachers would be paid in the new financial year and the implementation of the agreement backdated to 1 July 2009 will be done programmatically on a national level.

“These payments are over and above the general cost of living adjustment of between 10-13 percent that educators received on 1 July 2009.”

- BuaNews