Thousands of assistant teachers will have to go
The education department said the contracts of 280 000 assistants will be terminated on March 30.
Assistant teachers are concerned for their jobs after the basic education department announced hundreds of thousands of assistant teacher contracts could be terminated by the end of the month.
In a statement, the department said the contracts of 280 000 assistants, who started work under department initiative in November 1, will be terminated on March 30.
This was, according to the department, because the education sector would be returning to full capacity.
“To ensure continuity, maintain stability and sustained impact in schools, some of the assistant teachers appointed in schools would be offered new fixed-term contracts commencing on April 1 until August 30,” said the department.
The department said the efforts these teachers put into the schools and the number that the schools can accommodate will determine how many assistants will be appointed.
Education spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga said there are requirements that these teachers must meet for their contracts to be extended.
“Some absconded, others are turning 36 soon (the maximum age for an assistant teacher is 35), there was ill-discipline, some have committed crimes and we are aware that others were found to have been receiving other benefits such as the R350 grant from the state,” he said.
Mhlanga said these are some of the reasons but schools have their own matters.
“The final number of those going into phase three [of the initiative] will be announced soon.”
Mhlanga said the budget was reduced so it would be impossible to pay everyone.
A local assistant teacher from Ga-Rankuwa, Moipone Octa (20), said she hoped her contract would be extended so that she could continue helping learners with their school work.
“If I don’t get appointed, I will continue with my studies, volunteer somewhere or look for another temporary job to grow,” she said.
“This opportunity helps me to grow out of my comfort zone and interact more with different people.”
The department urged all the schools to submit the details of everyone who meets the requirements to be moved to phase three.
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