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News24 reports that with schools having re-opened for the new academic year last month, it has emerged that more than 22,600 posts for principals, deputy principals, heads of departments and teachers are vacant at public schools.
These figures were released by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Tuesday during a briefing to parliament's Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. The Western Cape DBE has the highest vacancy rate with 22.6% of principals, 35.1% of deputy principals, and 35.6% of heads of department posts vacant. The province has cut 2,407 teaching posts because of budgetary constraints. It was also revealed during the meeting, which was called to discuss the state of school readiness for 2025, that 28,371 pupils across the country had not yet been placed at schools by 23 January. Most provinces complained that the biggest problem was parents demanding schools of choice and refusing to take up allocated placements in schools with available spaces. Simoné Geyer, DBE deputy director-general, said the provincial education departments made provision for substitute posts, and substitute teachers were used when there was an urgent need to fill a vacant teacher post "to ensure there is always a teacher in front of learners". DBE Minister Siviwe Gwarube said provinces had submitted management plans to fill vacancies permanently, adding: “We will make sure we monitor the progress to make sure there's minimal disruption to teaching and learning.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
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