DBE does not know if teachers are qualified to teach the subjects they do

20 August 2015

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not know if teachers in school classrooms are in fact qualified to teach the subjects they are currently teaching.

This has emerged in replies to questions submitted by the DA, in which the department admits it is still “in the process” of capturing the full profiles of all educators in South Africa. These profiles include the qualifications, experience and current employment of the teachers.

This is a cause for serious concern. In order to provide quality education to all our children, we need to be able to make sure that our teachers are properly qualified. If we do not have this information, it will be impossible to make the necessary interventions to help our teachers perform better, and ensure that our children receive the education they need to pursue lives they value. 

The DA will accordingly appeal to the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, urging her to acknowledge that this is a problem that needs addressing and to have StatsSA collect and report on the data timeously and effectively so that the necessary steps can be taken as soon as possible.

This must be done without further delay. In 2014, for example, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education was informed that all provinces would be capturing data on every teacher on what they are qualified to teach and what they are actually teaching. The data collection exercise was due to be complete in August 2014.

It is now August 2015, a year after the data was meant to be collected and the exercise is far from complete. Last week, the portfolio committee was informed that the exercise would be complete by October this year. This week, the target was shifted to November of this year. This cannot continue any longer. 

The Democratic Alliance has long been concerned about this fact and has taken every opportunity to put questions to the DBE on this critical matter. 

Only once information on the extent of the mismatch between what teachers are qualified to teach and what subjects and grades they are actually teaching, can the necessary matching exercise take place to ensure that our children are being taught by suitably qualified teachers. 

South Africa’s children deserve a proper education to enable them to reach their full potential and, ultimately, to contribute positively to the future of our country. 

It is important that every child be taught by a properly qualified teacher in every grade, for every subject.

Statement issued by Annette Lovemore, DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education, August 20 2015