Pretoria — Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is meeting with other Cabinet ministers in an attempt to develop a collective approach to the possible strike action by teachers.

"The minister remains hopeful that the strike by educators can still be averted," department spokesperson Granville Whittle said.

Last night, the National Executive Council of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU), which has a membership of around 240 000, said it would embark on a nationwide strike from 5 August if their wage demands were not met by government. Public servants affiliated to the Public Service Association downed tools on Thursday.

The unions are demanding an 8.6 percent salary increase and a R1000 housing subsidy.

Motshekga has called on all learners, especially matriculants, to remain focussed on their studies and do the best they can to access academic support initiatives during this time. She said she would request senior officials, parents and civil society to assist the learners.

"As the responsible employer, we wish to assure learners and their parents, and South Africans in general that we do have plans in place to mitigate the negative effects of a teachers' strike on the future of our learners," Motshekga said.