Premier
- (a) What is the number of current vacancies in the provincial government departments and entities and (b) what is the detailed breakdown of the following: (i) the names of the posts, (ii) the levels of the posts, (iii) the departments and/or entities where the vacancies exist and (iv) how long each post has been vacant;
(a) what is the number of foreign nationals who are employed in the provincial departments and entities and (b) what is the detailed breakdown of the following: (i) the names of the posts held by them, (ii) their (aa) qualifications and (bb) experience, (iii) the levels of the posts held by them, (iv) the departments and/or entities where these persons are employed and (v)(i) what are the scarce skills that they possess and (ii) how long has each of them filled
(1)(a) The number of current active vacancies in the WCG is 8864, of which 97% is at the WCED. A breakdown is attached.
It should be noted that as for educational institutions, the number of vacancies in respect of educators does not mean that the institution has fewer educators than the number of educators to which they are entitled. It merely indicates that the educator posts are not filled in a permanent capacity. In each case where the post is not permanently filled, a contract appointment is made to ensure that all educational institutions have the number of educators to which they are entitled.
Any educator vacancy is filled with a teacher on contract until a permanent appointment is made. This ensures that there is always a teacher in a classroom and that learners are not left unattended. Teaching is taking place at all times.
(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) Attached
(2)(a) A total of 403 foreign nationals are employed within the WCG. The details are attached.
There are less foreign educators appointed on contract than what is reflected on PERSAL. These foreign educators are appointed on a permanent capacity and received residency (they are still foreigners, but not requiring a work permit). The majority of foreign educators have been appointed for more than 1 year and the challenges related to permit extensions has been a longstanding matter, since 2018. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, forced extensions were implemented, resulting in a backlog at the Department of Home Affairs, that still exists. This mainly relates to the foreigners from Zimbabwe, which are in majority of the cases.
(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(iii)(iv)(v)(i)(ii) Attached
The honourable member is advised to request information in relation to entities directly from the reporting departments.
