SABC News reports that the South African Early Childhood Development (ECD) Teachers Union has called on the Minister of Basic Education to address their concerns and demands to be employed permanently and get compensated similarly to grade 1-12 teachers. They delivered two memorandums to the Department of Basic Education on Wednesday. The union has given the Department seven days to review their demands.

The Department accepted the memorandums and committed to getting back to the Grade R teachers. Director of Basic Education David Ntloana says, “I’ve been requested to receive the memorandum on behalf of the Ministry and we promise that the Minister will definitely revert to the leadership of the South African Early Childhood Development Teachers united. And we are aware of the days as the Dr indicated and we definitely committee that the ministry will revert to you as soon as possible.”