THE contracts of more than 2000 temporary teachers who had been rehired by the Eastern Cape education department until the end of this month will be extended for the next three months.
The move has been met with mixed reactions from opposition parties, schools and education interest groups as concerns mount that it will not resolve the crippling teacher shortages at schools.
Provincial spokesman Loyiso Pulumani told the Daily Dispatch yesterday that of more than 4000 temporary teachers whose contracts were terminated in December, only 2353 had been rehired until March and now till the end of June.
“All temps currently in the system are being extended until the end of June 2013, when hopefully the process of placement of additional educators will be finalised.
“The department will release a bulletin before providing opportunity for the temps to apply to fill vacancies on a permanent basis.”
In the meantime, the department was implementing programmes to assist pupils who were behind in their studies due to teacher shortages.
Interventions include:
l Increased monitoring of additional curriculum assistance;
l Setting up autumn, winter and spring schools in all affected schools; and
l The Sakhingcali maths, science and technology academy established in Queenstown to offer assistance to teachers.
COPE education spokeswoman Angela Woodhall said the department had taken a step in the right direction but the teachers should be given permanent posts.
DA shadow MEC for education Edmund van Vuuren said the department should fill all posts.
National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa provincial CEO Peter Duminy said he welcomed the department’s announcement but felt the department should have disseminated the information sooner to schools to allow them to properly plan for next term’s curriculum.
South African Democratic Teachers’ Union provincial secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni would not comment, other than to say there were ongoing meetings with the department to resolve issues relating to teacher shortages among other issues.
Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie provincial secretary Barbara van de Walt said some temporary teachers had still been not paid.
Legal Resource Centre regional director Sarah Sephton said schools were in dire need of teachers. She said Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga should comply with last year’s court order to appoint teachers. — /
EC temp teachers’ contracts extended
The move has been met with mixed reactions from opposition parties, schools and education interest groups as concerns mount that it will not resolve the crippling teacher shortages at schools.
Provincial spokesman Loyiso Pulumani told the Daily Dispatch yesterday that of more than 4000 temporary teachers whose contracts were terminated in December, only 2353 had been rehired until March and now till the end of June.
“All temps currently in the system are being extended until the end of June 2013, when hopefully the process of placement of additional educators will be finalised.
“The department will release a bulletin before providing opportunity for the temps to apply to fill vacancies on a permanent basis.”
In the meantime, the department was implementing programmes to assist pupils who were behind in their studies due to teacher shortages.
Interventions include:
l Increased monitoring of additional curriculum assistance;
l Setting up autumn, winter and spring schools in all affected schools; and
l The Sakhingcali maths, science and technology academy established in Queenstown to offer assistance to teachers.
COPE education spokeswoman Angela Woodhall said the department had taken a step in the right direction but the teachers should be given permanent posts.
DA shadow MEC for education Edmund van Vuuren said the department should fill all posts.
National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa provincial CEO Peter Duminy said he welcomed the department’s announcement but felt the department should have disseminated the information sooner to schools to allow them to properly plan for next term’s curriculum.
South African Democratic Teachers’ Union provincial secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni would not comment, other than to say there were ongoing meetings with the department to resolve issues relating to teacher shortages among other issues.
Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie provincial secretary Barbara van de Walt said some temporary teachers had still been not paid.
Legal Resource Centre regional director Sarah Sephton said schools were in dire need of teachers. She said Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga should comply with last year’s court order to appoint teachers. — /
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