Zululand tops unskilled teachers’ list
An assessment conducted last year showed that this province had 4 504 unskilled educators compared to 30 in Gauteng.
A SURVEY has revealed that thousands of KZN educators are themselves under-educated.
The Auditor General recently said more than 70% of Grade R teachers do not have the basic qualifications required for their positions, with Zululand and the rest of KZN’s lack of credentials the worst in the country.
An assessment conducted last year showed that this province had 4 504 unskilled educators compared to 30 in Gauteng.
Nationally there are 12 336 teachers in need of qualification upgrading, either in the form of a B Ed or Grade R diploma.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) responded to the disturbing report, noting challenges are being experienced in the capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to enroll teachers on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
DBE said the programme is currently limited with only four institutions offering the NQF course with a total capacity of 2 690 per year.
This has made it difficult for the provincial education departments to enroll the numbers of qualified teachers required.
DBE is now in discussions with the relevant higher education forums to increase capacity and absorb the numbers at the required rate to upgrade more Grade R teachers in KZN and nationwide.
