The 2030 Reading Panel Background Report revealed some of the challenges the education sector will face over the next ten years. One worrying finding indicates that 45% of teachers will retire over the next decade.
To replace the group of retiring teachers, education institutions will need to increase teacher production from 26,000 in 2018 to 44,000 by 2025 to 50,000 by 2030.
In order practice as a teacher in South Africa, individuals must obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Bachelor of Education degree. Some organisations want to support young people obtain these qualifications.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has labelled the report indicating that the country is faced with a looming teacher shortage as “rather an alarmist”. The union is South Africa’s largest teachers union.
Sadtu’s National Executive Council (NEC) deliberated on the report and concluded that it is currently not a threat at this point. They believe the country has capable teachers who are currently not working in the profession.
The union said, “The facts are that South Africa has more teachers who are unemployed. There is therefore no threat at this point in time to panic. What is needed is to deploy teachers into areas of their speciality.”
Sadtu believes that an increased budget is needed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) which will allow them to employ more teachers.
“Education needs more money to employ the excess teachers who are currently not employed,” declared the union.
Another emerging concern in the education system was the failure of teachers to disclose their criminal records. While safeguards are in place, they are not being abided by.
