Unemployed teachers, and members of the March and March movement, gathered outside Midrand High School to voice their concerns over the alleged employment of foreign nationals at the school.

The march, led by Region A March and March co-ordinator and march convener Thabiso Gerald Mehlape, saw protesters calling on the Gauteng department of education (GDE) to investigate claims that the school employs 22 foreign national teachers, who allegedly used fraudulent documentation to secure their positions.

Read more: March and March Movement to march to Midrand High over foreign teacher employment claims

During the march, protesters demanded that the officials prioritise qualified, unemployed South African teachers when filling teaching posts.

As the GDE officials and members of March and March were in discussion at the school, another issue was raised.

The first memorandum issued to Midrand High was submitted on March 19, with no response. Protesters said they would march until this memorandum, which is now the second one, is responded to.

Mehlape said the purpose of the protest was to ensure the concerns raised by unemployed educators were heard by the relevant authorities.

As part of the memorandum presented during the march, the organisation also attempted to hand over the curriculum vitae (CVs) of unemployed teachers to GDE officials.

However, GDE officials declined to accept the CVs. Bongani Sibiya, from the office of the MEC, said: “We can’t take the CVs now because we have been sent to come receive the memorandum. So, if we take the CVs, we would be giving them false hope and I do not think that’s fair.”

Read more: Residents march for jobs as Midrand Industrial Park accepts memorandum

They informed the protesters that a formal response to the memorandum, as well as the issues raised, would be provided before or on August 14.

The protesters said they hope the department’s response will address their concerns regarding recruitment processes, and provide clarity on the allegations raised during the demonstration.

Thmbelihle Gwala, a qualified teacher who has been unemployed since 2018, said this is an issue that needs serious intervention.

She said she has been applying and struggling to get jobs even though she is qualified. She added that more schools need to be investigated because she doesn’t think that Midrand High is the only school with this issue.

The march concluded peacefully after the memorandum was handed over, with organisers urging authorities to investigate the claims thoroughly and ensure that all employment practices comply with the law.

At the time of publication, the allegations regarding the employment of foreign nationals and the authenticity of their documentation had not been independently verified.

The GDE said the matter is to be investigated, and after investigations are concluded they will be able to provide an accurate response.

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