An empty classroom showing desks and chairs Concern has been raised about the delay in appointing teachers in KwaZulu-Natal schools. File Picture: Phando Jikelo Independent Newspapers
Durban: School governing bodies in KwaZulu-Natal have been accused of delaying the process of filling hundreds of teacher posts across the province. Teacher unions claimed that this situation had created chaos in schools, as pupils have returned to classrooms without teachers.
The unions have revealed that approximately 500 posts for educators are yet to be filled, adding that interviews for 136 teachers had already been conducted.
Department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi acknowledged that there were delays in filling the posts.
“The school governing bodies (SGBs) are delaying the process.We will soon be writing to them asking them why we (the department) should not take over the process.”
The sentiment was echoed by the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu).
However, the National Association of School Governing Bodies said the SGBs were desperate to hire more teachers and would never slow down the process.
Last year, the Department of Education announced plans to hire more than 700 new teachers, but teacher unions have said this target is too ambitious.
The National Teachers Union (Natu) recently stated that the department issued two bulletins advertising more than 2 100 school management positions and 735 post-level 1 posts.
“No appointments have been made to date, despite these vacancies remaining unfilled since July 2023. Natu calls on the department to swiftly finalise the appointment processes,” it said.
Sadtu said according to the latest statistics from a committee meeting held on Wednesday, 500 posts remain vacant. Sadtu provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said the department was in the process of appointing teachers.
“The delay is caused by the schools themselves because interviews are conducted by governing bodies,” she said.
Vee Gani of the KZN Parents Association highlighted that many schools already faced severe overcrowding, with one teacher for every 60 pupils.
He expressed concern that the shortage of teachers is compromising the quality of education being offered to pupils.
“We keep talking about the quality of education; how can that be achieved when the resources to do so are not in place?” he questioned.
Matakanye Matakanya from the National Association of School Governing Bodies said in township and rural schools “the ratios are 80:1, meaning the teacher is essentially teaching two classes”.
He said it would not be accurate to blame only the SGBs. “The department does the sifting before sending candidates to schools. It is that process that takes a long time. There are also issues of corruption, where individuals attempt to manipulate posts to appoint relatives or friends of officials.”
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