The South African Education and Training System is confronted by a serious shortage of qualified primary and secondary school educators – particularly in the strategically important areas of physical science, biology, information and communication technologies, mathematics and entrepreneurship. In addition to the necessary expertise required to teach these subjects, a working knowledge of English is essential. This however, is a second language for most educators, providing a further barrier to the provision of quality learning.

According to EduSource, in 1997, only 50% of the mathematics teachers and 42% of the science teachers in South Africa had received any form of specialized learner area subject training.

It gets worse…

In the early 90’s, there were about 100 000 teachers in training. In 2002, the figure was down to 12 000. Of these, only 3 000 graduated.

What makes this situation even more critical, is that of the 12 200 Grade 12 learners interviewed by the HRSC in 2002, only 1.4% listed education as their preferred field of study.
It’s hardly surprising that President Mbeki has called for development efforts to be focused on educators’ training as well as the upgrading of in-service educators.

“Special attention will need to be given to the compelling evidence that the country has a critical shortage of mathematics, science and language teachers, and to the demands of the new information and communication technologies.”

- President Thabo Mbeki – 2000