Education
Whether her Department has experienced any shortages of (a) Mathematics and (b) Physical Science teachers for grades 10 to 12 in the last five academic years; if so, (i) what are the relevant details, including (ii) totals, (iii) which schools have been affected, (iv) what are the corrective measures in this regard and (v) what impact will the reduction in cost of employment across public departments have on this issue in the foreseeable future?
There have been shortages in the past 5 years, but the numbers have not been significant. There is an adequate number of newly qualified teachers per annum focusing on Mathematics and Physical Science.
The number of posts allocated to schools in the Western Cape has been maintained and additional posts were added, based on learner growth. Therefore, there is no significant impact to the cost of employment.
Schools appoint teachers in line with the curriculum needs of the school.
The table below illustrates the areas of concern (information supplied by Curriculum Advisors in the districts):
District | Year | School | Mathematics | Details |
Overberg | 2020 | Gansbaai Academia | 1 | A teacher went on pension and a new teacher was appointed later. |
West Coast | 2020 | Ilingelethu SS | 1 | Gr 12 classes were taught by Physical Sciences teacher, and notes were distributed to Grade 10/11 classes under supervision of other teachers. In term 2 a teacher was appointed. |
MNED | 2020- 2021 | Sinenjongo HS | 1 | Retired teacher will continue until replacement is found. |
MNED | 2021 | Belhar HS | 1 | There is one teacher for FET. Now that more grades are back the educator does not have a period free for administration. They are planning to combine the classes to accommodate this need. |
MNED | 2017- 2021 | Delft Technical HS | 1 | Teacher is working full-time and does not have time for administration. |
MNED | 2020-2021 | DF Malan HS | 1 | Struggling to find qualified teachers to teach up to Grade 12. School needs to develop/train teachers coming from Wellington and Stellenbosch. |
MSED | 2021 | Heathfield HS | 1 | Contract posts |
MSED | 2021 | Zwaanswyk | 2 | Combined classes in school hall. The school has advertised positions. |
MSED | 2019 | Strandfontein Sek. | 1 | Contract posts |
MSED | 2018 | Sibelius HS | 1 | Contract posts: resolved 1 May 2021. |
MSED | 2018 | Woodlands SS | 1 | School not offering Mathematics |
MSED | 2017 | Lavender Hill HS | 1 | Changed streams, only Maths Literacy offered |
CWED | 2021 | New Orleans SS | 1 | Utilising a retired teacher of 65 years |
MCED | 2021 | Athlone HS | 1 | Previous grade teacher used to support phase |
MCED | 2021 | Modderdam Sek. | 1 | Contract post offered |
MCED | 2021 | Silikamva HS | 1 | Contract post offered |
MCED | 2021 | Langa HS | 1 | Contract post offered |
MCED | 2018-2021 | Kensington SS | 1 | School has been struggling to appoint a suitable HoD since their previous HoD passed away. There is an acting HoD. All teachers have a very full teaching load. |
MCED | 2021 | Vista HS | 1 | The school has had to adapt to working with one teacher and hence subject limited for learners. |
MCED | 2021 | Good Hope Seminary | 1 | Still looking for a Gr 12 Teacher |
District | Year | School | Physical Sciences | Details |
MCED | 2021 | Athlone HS | 1 | Contract post offered |
Modderdam Sek. | 1 | Contract post offered | ||
Silikamva HS | 1 | Contract post offered | ||
Langa HS | 2 | Contract post offered | ||
Isilimela SS | 2 | Contract post offered | ||
Maitland HS | 1 | Contract post offered | ||
MSED | 2021 | Strandfontein | 1 | Intern from ‘Teach the Nation’ organisation was acquired and receives a stipend from the organization. |
Wynberg Sek. | 1 | Teacher from another subject area was asked to teach | ||
Winelands | 2021 | New Orleans Sek. | 1 | Unqualified teacher is currently appointed |
MCED | 2020 | Modderdam Sek. | 1 | Contract post offered |
Athlone HS | 1 | Contract post offered | ||
Silikamva HS | 1 | Contract post offered | ||
Langa HS | 2 | Contract post offered | ||
Isilimela SS | 2 | Contract post offered | ||
Maitland HS | 1 | Contract post offered | ||
MNED | 2020 | Bellville South SS | 1 | School appointed teacher |
Florida Sek. | 1 | School appointed teacher | ||
MSED | 2020 | Glendale SS | 1 | Teacher was off with comorbidities – assistants had to oversee teaching of Physical Sciences. This only applied in Alert level 3 and above. |
Zeekoevlei SS | 1 | Teacher was off due to Covid for more than a month – taught via WhatsApp - no replacement was found at that time. | ||
Winelands | 2020 | Franschhoek HS | 1 | Novice teacher with no Physics background was appointed. Resolved now. |
2019 | Luckhoff SS | 1 | Learners were without a teacher for a few weeks. Novice teacher with no Physics background was appointed for the year. Resolved now. |
