Shortage of teachers affects learning in North West

Source: The Citizen, 19/01/2016

The DA said it was deeply concerned about the critical shortage of
teachers in schools in the province.


A shortage of teachers has affected learning in the North West
province, following mass resignations, the provincial department of
education admitted on Tuesday.


"As a department we can confirm that we have a shortage of teachers
since the massive resignation that affected most provinces, including
the North West. This posed a serious threat in the classroom,"
spokesperson Elias Malindi said.


He said both teachers and learners were key to the existence of the
department of education.


"It would be a serious oversight for anyone to think that the
department would neglect such crucial stakeholders.


"Co-management of the department by treasury also caused a stall in
the appointment of teachers in vacant posts."


However, the department said issues had been resolved by engaging with
provincial treasury to grant access to districts to use the persal
system so that districts could make appointments even against
promotional posts. "A circular instructing districts was issued a week
ago."


The Democratic Alliance in the North West said it was deeply concerned
about the critical shortage of teachers in the majority of schools in
the province, as well as the lack of resources like tables and
chairs.


"During an oversight visit in Majakaneng [near Brits] all the schools
visited reported a critical shortage of teachers," said Tutu Faleni,
DA spokesperson on education in North West.
"Some leaners at Seroophathe Primary School are without teachers in
the classrooms. The Democratic Alliance has been informed that many
other schools across the province are experiencing shortage of
teachers."


He said school principals reported that the department of education
had issued an instruction in December 2015 which prohibited them from
filling teacher vacancies against promotional posts.


"This critical shortage of teachers is also a result of the mass
exodus of about 1,500 teachers who resigned from schools in the North
West last year," the DA said. "Principals at schools are unable to
fill vacant posts immediately due to the cumbersome processes of
appointing teachers in vacant posts."


Regarding classroom furniture, the department said it had made
provision for both new and existing schools. However, a shortage of
classroom furniture was greatly affected by learner enrollment,
Malindi said.


"For existing schools, districts must identify needy schools and make
necessary measures to procure for them. The department will embark on
establishing the extent of the shortage by engaging all districts," he
added.


– African News Agency (ANA)